"I^ 


& 


§>piritual  Creasurp 

FOR 

THE  CHILDREN  OF  GOD: 

CONSISTING   OF 

J  MEDITATION  FOR  EACH  EVEXIXG  LY  THE  YEAR, 

UPON 

SELECT  TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE. 

UMBLY   INTENDED  TO  ESTABLISH  THE   FAITH,    PROMOTE   THE   COMFORT, 
ASD  INFLUENCE  THE  PRACTICE  OF   THE  FOLLOWERS  OF   THE   LAMB. 

V 
BY  AVILLIAM  MASON,  ESQ. 


In  Christ  arc  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge. ..Col.  ii.  3. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 
VOL.   II. 


THE  FIRST  AMERICAN  EDITION. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BV  DEARE  AND  ANDREWS,  NO.  12,  CEDAR-STREET. 
1803. 


SPIRITUAL  TREASURY 

FOR    THE 

CHILDREN  OF  GOD,  s;c. 


JANUARY   1. 
JVe  sec  Jesus,... Heb.  ii.9. 

Fine  sights  of  human  pomp  and  worldly  grandeur  captivate 
camal  minds,  and  ravish  natural  senses.  It  is  common  to  hear 
persons  say  in  an  ecstacy,  O,  I  could  sit  all  night  to  see  a  fine  play  I 
But  one  sight  of  the  matchless  charms  ajul  dazzling  glories  of  our 
Saviour,  makes  all  other  things  appear  mean  and  contemptible.  We 
turn  our  eyes  from  them  and  say,  I  put  away  these  childish  things: 
I  have  an  heavenly  object,  infinitely  superior  to  such  low,  mean, 
perishing  vanities.  I  know  one,  who  having  heard  that  faithful 
minister  of  Christ,  Mr.  Whitefield,  when  he  first  preached  in  the 
fields,  upwards  of  thirty  years  ago;  on  being  asked  which  he  liked 
best,  to  hear  him  preach,  or  see  Vauxhall?  profanely  replied, 
"Whitefield  only  preaches  of  heaven,  but  Vauxhall  is  heaven  itself." 
Poor  soul !  he  was  then  blind  to  his  want  of  Christ,  and  to  his  glory 
and  excellency.  But,  to  the  glory  of  his  rich  grace,  that  poor  sin- 
ner is  out  of  hell,  and  can  now  happily  join  the  faithful  in  saying, 
WE  SEE  Jesus.  So  then,  the  once  profane  sinner  is  changed  into 
the  visionary  enthusiast.  Enthusiasm  to  see  Jesus!  "Enthusiastic 
this?  then  all  are  blind  but  rank  enthusiasts:"  for  the  essence  of 
the  gospel,  the  joy  of  sinners,  and  the  glory  of  faitli  consist  in  this 
sight.  What  is  life  itself  without  it?  for,  alas!  we  have  lost  all 
righteousness,  holiness  and  happiness,  in  ourselves;  but  we  see  all 
these,  with  heaven  and  glory,  restored  to  us  in  Christ.  O  blessed 
day!  happy  hour!  joy  fid  moment!  when  the  sight  of  our  inestima- 
bly precious  Saviour  first  saluted  tlie  eyes  of  our  mind  and  became 
the  object  of  our  faith!  It  Avas  the  beginning  of  days;  yea  our 
birth-day  to  eternal  blessedness.  This  sight  is  a  feast  to  our  souls 
all  the  year.  We  delight  to  begin  the  year  with  seeing  Jesus.  We 
salute  one  another  with,  "  I  wish  you  a  happy  new  year."    What 


4  JANUARY  1. 

mean  we,  but  I  wish  you  to  see  Jesus?  What  can  make  the  year 
happy  without  this  ?  This  creates  heaven  in  the  soul.  Then  it  is 
a  happy  year  indeed.  But  without  this  precious  view  of  faith  we 
can  get  no  ease  from  the  burden  of  sin,  therefore  our  souls  must  be 
miserable.  This  world  can  afford  us  no  real  happiness.  The 
thoughts  of  death  will  torment  us;  and  the  view  of  judgment  fill  us 
wiih  dread  and  terror.  But,  O  happy  sinners  who  can  bless  God 
with  Simeon,  and  say  "  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation!". ...Luke 
ii.  30.  I  see  Christ:  he  is  all  my  salvation  and  all  mv  desire.  Ye 
heaven-born,  highly-favored  souls,  well  may  ye  say,  time  hasten 
on,  years  roll  round,  moments  fly  swiftly,  and  bring  me  to  the  full 
enjoyment  of  my  beloved  Saviour  in   his  kingdom  of  glory.     For, 

•We  see  Jesus,  who  saw  us,  loved  us,  pitied  and  saved  us  when 
dead  in  our  sins,  cursed  by  the  law,  and  polluted  in  our  blood.  We 
look  back  and  see  him  an  outcast  babe,  a  despised  man,  crucified 
as  a  vile  malefactor,  bearing  our  sins  on  the  cross,  made  a  sacrifice 
for  our  souls,  and  redeeming  us  to  God  by  his  blood.  We  glory  in 
him  as  the  only  atonement  for  our  sins  and  our  one  righteousness  to 
justify  our  souls;  for  he  is  the  Lord  our  KiGHTEOusNEss....Jer. 
xxiii.  6.  We  look  up  and  see  Jesus  crowned  with  glory  and  honor, 
pleading  our  cause  and  interceding  for  our  persons  at  the  right 
hand  of  God,  and  ever  living  to  save  us  to  the  uttermost.  We  look 
forw  ard  to  judgment ;  awful  day !  we  see 

'  A  trembling  world,  and  a  devouring  God.* 
But  0,,how  bright  the  prospect  shines!  we  see  Jesus  coming  with 
power  and  great  glory  to  receive  us  to  his  kingdom,  that  where  he 
is  there  we  may  be  also. 

Do  we  thus  see  Jesus  by  faith  as  revealed  in  the  word  of  truth  ? 
Then  we  are  new  creatures  in  him.  We  are  called,  Avith  Moses, 
"  to  endure  (every  fight  of  affliction)  seeing  him  who  is  invisible.".... 
Heb.  xi.  27.  We  are  exhorted  to  "  lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the 
sin  which  doth  so  easily  beset  us,  and  to  run  with  patience  the  race 
set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our 
faith."....Heb.  xii.  1,  2.  Thus  we  obey  the  will  of  God  our  Father, 
who  commands  us,  "  Behold  mine  elect,  in  whom  my  soul  delight- 
cth."....Isa.  xlii.  1.  "  My  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 
....Matt.  iii.  17. 

Jesus  is  the  chiefcst  good,  Jesus  gives  us  life  and  peace, 

He  has  sav'dus  by  his  blood,  Faith  and  love,  and  holiness, 

Let  us  value  nought  but  him,  Every  blessing  great  and  small. 

Nothing  clie  deserves  esteem.  Jesus  for  us  purchas'd  all. 

Jcsu'.,  when  stern  justice  said,  Jesus  therefore  let  us  own, 

"  Man  his  life  has  forfeited  Jesus  we'll  exalt  alone. 

••  Vengeance  follows  by  decree,"  Jesus  has  our  sins  forgiven. 

Cried,  "  Inflict  it  all  «n  me."  Jesus'  blood  has  bought  us  heaven. 


JANUARY  2.  S 

The  nations  shall  bless  themselves  in  him,  and  in  him  shall 
they  glory.... Je}\  iv.  2. 

"Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  xis  to  God  by  thy 
blood,  out  of  every  kindred,  tongue,  people  and  nation."  This  is 
part  of  the  new  song  which  is  sung  at  the  right  hand  of  God  in 
honor  and  glory  to  the  Lamb... .Rev.  v.  9.  Shall  we  not  honor  and 
glorify  him  here  below?  What  should  be  the  employ  of  the  re- 
deemed and  called  every  day  they  live  on  earth  till  they  join  their 
brethren  in  heaven?  Why,  to  bless  themselves  ik  the  Lord.  Bless 
one's  self !  Is  not  that  boasting  and  vain-glory  ?  Yes,  if  it  arises  from 
any  merit,  self-righteousness  or  excellence  which  we  fancy  we 
possess.  Rut  we  are  to  bless  ourselves  because  we  are  in  the 
Lord,  and  blessed  by  our  (ion  and  Father  with  all  spiritual  bles- 
sings in  Christ  Jesus.  Though  a  sinner,  a  miserable  sinner,  yea, 
a  law-arctirsed  sinner  in  thyself,  yet  bless  thyself  as  a  rich  saint, 
a  holy,  happy  soul  in  Christ;  beloved  of  God,  chosen  of  God,  re- 
conciled to  God,  at  peace  with  Ciod,  an  heir  of  God,  and  joint  heir 
with  Jesus.  Bless  thy  soul  that  it  is  born  again  of  the  Spirit  to 
partake  of  such  inestimable  privileges.  This  is  an  evangelical 
duty.  It  raises  the  affections  to  the  Lord  of  our  salvation.  It  re- 
Tives  the  heart.  It  fortifies  the  mind  against  sin  and  invigorates 
the  soul  to  all  holy  obedience.  Therefore  it  should  be  our  daily  worlr 
to  bless  ourselves,  and  to  bless  the  Lord  for  what  he  hath  done  for 
us  and  in  us.  O,  Holy  Spirit,  raise  our  legal  spirits  to  the  exercise 
of  this  gospel  practice!  Cause  our  souls  to  delight  more  in,  and  to 
glory  more  of  the  Lord  our  righteousness.  "Th  him  shall  they 
glory."  One  view  of  Christ  by  faith  stains  the  pride  of  all  human 
gloj-ying.  O,  what  glory  shines  in  the  person  of  Jesus!  He  is  God 
and  man  in  one  Christ.  What  glory  is  displayed  in  his  love  to  us 
sinners,  in  redeeming  us  to  God  by  his  blood,  justifying  us  by  his 
righteousness,  living  to  pray  for  us  as  our  advocate,  and  saving  us 
day  by  day  from  sin,  and  everlastingly,  from  hell  to  heaven.  Let 
us  constantly  dwell  upon  and  glory  in  his  person,  his  work,  his 
offices,  and  his  everlasting  love  below,  till  we  come  to  cast  down 
©ur  crowns  before  him  above. 

For  while  our  souls  are  thus  sweetly  exercised  from  day  to  day, 
sin  loses  its  dominion,  satan  his  power,  the  world  its  charms,  self  is 
denied,  fears  subside,  hopes  are  lively,  love  reigns,  our  affections 
are  above,  our  spirits  are  on  the  wing  for  God,  and  this  is  our  con- 
stant language,  "  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross 
.  i)f  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.".. ..Gal.  vi.  14. 


6  JANUARY  3. 

Things  lluit  accoinpauij  salvation. ...Heb.  vi.  9.. 

Mary  mistook  Christ  for  the  gardener.. ..John  xx.  15.  We  are 
very  apt  to  mistake  our  e:raccs  for  our  Saviour.  Some  put  their  faith 
in  the  place  of  Christ's  righteousness.  They  say,  we  are  justified 
by  our  faith,  and  not  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ.  Others  call 
the  graces  of  the  covenant  the  conditions  of  salvation.  These  are 
sad  mistakes.  Hereby  the  glory  of  Christ  is  eclipsed.  The  sinner's 
eye  is  turned  from  the  Saviour  to  himself.  His  trust  is  placed  in 
his  graces  instead  of  Christ.  He  mistakes  the  things  which  accom- 
pany salvation,  for  salvation  itself.  What  are  the  things  which 
accompany  salvation?  Naturally,  we  have  none  of  them.  We  have 
only  the  things  which  accompany  damnation.  We  are  no  more  able 
to  work  them  in  ourselves  than  a  dead  corpse  can  raise  itself  to  life, 
or  a  devil  in  hell  change  himself  into  an  angel  in  heaven.  They  are 
the  train  of  graces  which  ever  attend  the  king  of  saints.  The  Saviour 
brings  them  with  himself  into  the  saved  sinner's  heart.  They  are 
the  graces  of  his  Spirit.  1st.  Faith  in  Jesus,  as  a  redeeming,  jus- 
tifying, sanctifying  Saviour.  2d.  Rejientance  towards  God,  as 
receiving  and  pardoning  sinners  in  Christ:  haired  of  sin  and  turn- 
ing from  sin  to  Christ.  3d.  Hope;  which  is  as  an  anchor  of  the 
soul,  by  keeping  it  steady  in  the  expectation  of  what  the  word  pro- 
mises and  faith  believes.  4th.  Love  to  God,  excited  by  his  love  to 
US  in  Christ.  5th.  Peace  with  God  through  oiir  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
6th.  Joy  in  God,  having  now  received  the  atonement  by  faith.  7th. 
Heavcnly-mindedness,  by  living  on  Jesus.  8th.  Deadness  to  sin, 
by  the  body  of  Christ.  9th.  Deadness  to  the  world,  being  crucified 
V  ith  Christ.  10th.  Living  to  holiness,  being  alive  unto  God  through 
Jesus  Christ,  llih.  Love  to  our  brethren  and  fellow-sinners,  being 
passed  from  death,  to  life.  And  to  all  the  rest,  constant  dissatisfac- 
tion with  ourselves,  seeing  we  still  arc  miserable  sinners,  imperfect 
creatures,  unprofitable  servants.  We  look  on  nothing  within  us  as 
our  title  to  glory,  but  wholly  and  solely  to  Jesus.  These  graces  we 
receive  out  of  his  fulness.  These  are  cAidences  of  interest  in  him, 
make  us  meet  for  heaven,  and  accompany  salvation.  For  w"e  have 
fellowship  with  God,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  Paul  was  persuaded 
cf  these  things  concerning  his  christian  brethren.  Sec  then  the 
glorious  nature  of  Christianity.  The  faith  of  the  gospel  and  the 
hope  of  salvation  are  not  cn)pty  notif>ns.  But  "whom  God  justified,, 
them  he  also  glorified. "....Hom.  viii.  30.  Those  whom  he  adorns 
with  the  glorious  robe  of  Christ's  righteousness,  he  makes  glorious 
with  the  graces  of  his  Spirit,  What  God  hath  joined  together  let  not 
man  put  asunder....Matt.  xix.  6. 


JANUARY  4.  r 

To  this  man  ivill  I  look,  even  to  him  that  is  poor,  and  of  a 
contrite  spirit,  and  tremblcth  at  my  ivord....ha.  Ixvi.  2. 

The  Lord,  whose  throne  is  in  the  highest  heaven  and  whose 
footstool  is  the  earth,  here  enquires  after  a  place  of  residence  and  rest. 
As  though  about  to  quit  his  throne  he  looks  unto  man.  Behold  he 
tabernacles  in  man.  He  makes  the  human  nature  his  temple. 
Hence  he  looks  to  his  brethren  in  flesh,  however  poor,  miserable, 
and  distressed.  As  his  look  of  love  is  towards  them  so  he  brings 
them  to  look  for  mercy  from  him.  But  we  are  all  naturally  too  rich 
in  our  own  eyes  to  be  indebted  to  his  grace,  too  stubborn  of  spirit 
to  bow  to  his  sceptre,  and  too  stout-hearted  to  hearken  to  his  voice 
and  submit  to  his  righteousness.  Well,  glory  to  the  Lord,  he  has 
mercy  for  rebels  as  well  as  a  heaven  for  saints;  yea,  of  sturdy 
rebels  he  makes  humble  saints.  How?  Thus,  "The  day  of  the 
Lord  of  hosts  shall  be  upon  every  one  that  is  proud  and  lofty,  and 
upon  every  one  that  is  lifted  up,  and  he  Bhall  be  brought  low....Isa. 
ii.  12.  O  soul,  dost  thou  see  thy  poverty,  over  head  and  ears  in 
debt  to  law  ajid  justice,  nothing  but  rags  to  cover  thy  nakedness,  and 
liable  to  be  cast  into  the  prison  of  hell?  Give  glory  to  the  Lord. 
The  day  of  the  Lord  is  upon  thee ;  the  light  of  truth  has  shincd  into 
thee ;  and  as  though  there  was  not  another  man  upon  the  earth,  the 
Lord  looks  to  thee,  even  to  thee,  thou  poor  sinner.  Thou  sayest 
I  abhor  myself,  I  tremble  to  look  at  myself,  I  am  so  poor,  so  mise- 
rable, and  so  wretched.  Surely,  the  Lprd  must  turn  away  his  eyes 
from  me  with  loathing  and  abhorrence.  No:  to  this  man  will  I  look, 
saith  the  Lord.  Yes,  saith  the  humble  soul.  If  I  had  but  a  contrite 
spirit,  if  I  did  but  tremble  at  God's  word,  I  might  think  so,  I  should 
hope  so;  but  I  can  see  nolliing  in  myself  why  the  Lord  should  look 
upon  me  and  love  me.  I  tremble  to  be  found  in  myself.  O,  if  the 
Lord  had  not  looked  on  tlice  as  he  did  on  Peter,  thou  wouldst  never 
have  had  such  a  contrite  spirit,  nor  such  a  trembling  heart.  Jesus 
beholds  and  loves  his  image  there.  He  was  once  a  poor  man  as  thou 
art.  He  had  not  where  to  recline  his  weary  head,  or  to  find  comfort 
for  his  sorrowful  soul,  but  in  and  from  the  loving  breast  of  his 
<iear  Father.  That  is  thy  case.  Instead  of  being  a  proud  Pharisee, 
why  art  thou  a  poor  sinner?  Instead  of  making  a  mock  at  sin,  why 
is  thy  heart  broken  for  sin  ?  Instead  of  despising  the  Lord's  word, 
why  dost  thou  tremble  to  be  found  out  of  Christ?  All,  all  is  because 
the  Lord  looks  to  thee.  O  look,  look  unto  him  and  be  saved  from 
all  thy  doubts  and  fears  I  Thy  poverty  and  contrition  are  not  condi- 
tions, but  blessed  evidences  of  salvation.  Our  Lord  assures  us, 
"Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
....Matt.  V.  3. 


«  JANUARY  5. 

In  whom  also,  after  tliat  yc  believed,  ije  iterc  sealed,  zcilh 
thai  holy  Spirit  of  promise. ...Eph.  i.  13. 

Some  consider  this  scaling  as  the  highest  assurance,  which  but 
few  obtain.  Others,  as  a  state  of  perfection  in  holiness,  and  entire- 
freedom  from  the  being  of  sin.  This  some  pretend  to,  liut  no  one 
enjoys  in  this  Ufe.  But  it  is  plain  the  apostle  means  nothing  more 
than  what  all  believers  in  common  are  favored  with.  Not  after  ye 
believed,  but  in  belikving  ye  were  sealed,  says  the  learned  Mr. 
Hervey.  That  is,  as  soon  as  ye  received  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it, 
ye  were  sealed  by  the  Spirit  as  the  children  of  God  by  fuich  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Consider,  1st.  what  is  implied  in  being  sealed.  A  seal  is 
to  make  an  impression  of  its  contents.  Sealing  an  instrument  is 
making  it  valid,  and  acknowledging  it  as  our  act  and  deed.  The 
heart  of  a  believing  sinner,  melted  by  the  word  and  Spirit  of  God,  is 
the  subject  of  this  sealing.  The  contents  of  this  seal  is  grace  and 
TRUTH,  which  came  by  Jesus  Christ.. ..John  i.  17.  This  is  sealed 
upon  the  heart  by  the  act  and  deed  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  This  impress 
of  salvation  by  the  grace  and  truth  of  the  Son  of  God,  is  made  so 
deep  and  lasting  on  the  believing  heart,  that  time  with  all  its  changes, 
sin  with  all  its  malignity,  the  world  with  all  its  charms  and  frowns, 
and  satan  with  all  his  power  and  fraud  can  never,  never  eflace.  It 
■will  remain  as  the  impress  of  the  seal  on  the  wax.  It  answers  to  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  made  in  the  word,  as  the  impressed  wax  to  the 
seal.  Such  a  sealed  heart  is  God's  jewel.  He  has  distinguished  it 
as  his  own.  It  will  receive  no  other  impression  but  from  the  broad 
seal  of  heaven,  salvation  by  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Son  of 
Ciod  ONLv.  Now,  is  this  seal  upon  your  heart?  Do  you  reject  with 
abhorrence  every  other  hope  ?  Do  you  believe  in,  look  to,  and  trust 
Jesus  for  all  your  salvation?  Rejoice:  you  are  sealed.  For,  consider 
2d.  All  believers  arp:  sealed.  1.  The  sealer  is  the  Spirit  of  pro- 
mise. He  is  alike  promised  to  all  the  believing  members  of  Christ. 
They  are  heirs  of  promise.  They  have  fled  to  Jesus  for  refuge  and 
laid  hold  of  him  as  their  hope:  and  nothing  but  consolation,  yea 
strong  consolation  awaits  them  from  the  God  of  promise.  2.  He  is 
the  Holy  Spirit.  By  this  sealing  he  impresses  the  heart  with  the 
love  of  Christ,  of  truth,  and  of  holiness.  And,  3.  He  hereby  fulfils 
our  Lord's  prayer,  for  his  members  "  sanctify  them  through  thy 
truth. "....John  xvii.  17.  Therefore,  though  in  heaviness  through 
manifold  temptations;  though  in  dejection  from  many  enemies,  let 
not  go  your  confidence  of  faith.  Rate  not  yourself  an  unbeliever. 
Think  not  yourself  under  the  curse  of  the  law.  Deny  not  the  Spirit's, 
work.  For  if  you  believe  on  Jesus  in  your  heart,  "  yc  arc  sealed  unto 
tlic  day  of  iedemption."....Ej)h.  iv.  30. 


JANUARY  6.  9 

Blessed  is  the  man  unto  zvhom  the  Lord  imputeth  not  ini- 
quity....Psalm  xxxii.  2. 

When  the  Spirit  bears  Avitness  to  the  believing  heart,  thou  art 
this  blessed  man,  O  what  a  heavenly  transport  of  love,  peace,  and 
joy  abounds  I  Every  believer  in  Christ  is  this  blessed  man.  Though 
they  do  not  all  enjoy  the  sense  of  this  blessedness. '  The  law  may 
charge  sin  upon  the  conscience,  satan  may  bring  many  accusations, 
and  the  poor  sinner  may  reckon  many  iniquities  against  himself,  and 
be  ready  to  rate  himself  a  cursed  man,  when  the  Lord  imputes  not 
a  single  iniquity  to  him,  bui  pronounces  him  blessed.  Sight  often 
opposes  truth.  Sense  prevails  against  faith.  Hence  the  soul  is  in 
fear  and  distress.  What  can  one  do  in  such  seasons  ?  Believe  against 
sense,  hope  against  hope.  Oppose  God's  declarations  to  nature's 
feeling.  Mind,  it  is  not  said,  blessed  is  the  man  who  hath  no  ini- 
i^uity,  but  unto  whom  the  Lord  imputeth  none.  Well,  but  if  I  see, 
and  know,  and  feel  that  I  have  iniquity,  surely  the  Lord  will  impute 
it  to  me  and  charge  it  to  my  account.  What!  after  God  hath 
charged  sin  to  thy  surety's  account,  reckoned  with  him  for  it,  and 
received  full  satisfaction  at  his  hands,  will  he  charge  it  again  to 
t.hee?  No,  God  is  just.  He  knows  he  imputed  to,  and  laid  upon 
his  Son,  the  iniquity  of  us  all....Isa.  liii.  6.  God  made  Christ  to  be 
gin  for  us,  that  we  might  be  righteous  in  him. ...2  Cor.  v.  21.  In 
<iiM,  O  blessed  state!  we  stand  righteous  in  Christ,  are  blessed  in 
Christ.  No  iniquity  is  imputed  to  us,  but  the  Lord  imputeth  righ- 
teousness without  our  works. ...Rom.  iv.  6.  This  is  the  blessedness 
gf  faith.  Every  believer  in  Jesus  is  thus  blessed.  If  the  Lord  im- 
pute no  iniquity  to  him,  who  shall?  Who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the 
charge  of  God's  elect?  O  believer,  glory  in  thy  blessedness  and 
give  the  Lord  the  glory  of  it.  Nor  sin,  nor  death,  nor  hell  shall 
rob  thee  of  it  in  time,  nor  eternity.  But  if  the  Lord  imputes  no 
iniquity  to  thee,  he  hath  also  created  a  new  spirit  within  thee,  a 
spirit  without  guile,  that  is,  upright  with  the  Lord  Jesus,  that  trusts 
in  him  and  cleaves  to  him  only.  Look  at  St.  Paul.  See  the  up- 
rightness of  his  soul.  He  was  like  a  chaste  virgin  to  Christ.  Imi- 
tate him.  Propose  what  you  would  to  him,  but  Christ:  whether 
the  pomps  of  the  world,  the  pleasures  of  sin,  the  glory  of  self- 
righteousness,  says  he,  away  with  it  all,  I  renounce  it  all  as  dross 
and  dung.  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Yea,  doubtless,  I  count  all  things  but  loss,  for 
the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord.... 
Phil.  iii.  8. 

Tho'  sin  infects  our  ruin'd  race,  Thus  are  wc  blfssM  alone  thro*  faith 

And  seals  us  under  wrath;  Of  Jesus  crucify 'd, 

Yet  God  imputes  thro'  his  rich  grace,    No  sin  will  God  impute,  he  saith, 
Christ's  righteousness  and  death.  To  those  for  whom  Christ  dj'd,     M. 

Vol.  IL  B 


10  JANUARY  1. 

God  hath  scaled  us,  and  given  the  earnest  of  the  Spirit  in 
oitr  hearts. ...2  Cor.  i.  22. 

NoNK  but  a  sinner  believing  in  Christ  can  say,  God  hath  sealed 
me.  But  every  believer  in  him  may  truly  say  so.  This  seemed 
very  plain  from  a  former  meditation.  Do  all  believers  alike  enjoy 
the  comfort  of  this  sealing?  No:  tio  more  than  any  one  believer, 
alike,  at  all  times,  enjoys  the  comfort  of  it.  This  is  a  certain 
truth,  "  by  faith  we  have  peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."... .Rom.  v.  1.  Though  every  believer  is  alike  justified 
before  God  and  is  at  peace  with  God,  yet  every  one  has  not  the  like 
sense  of  peace,  nor  any  one  at  all  times.  So  it  is  of  this  blessed 
privilege  of  sealing.  But  if  it  is  not  looked  upon,  and  believed 
that  it  may  be  alike  enjoyed  in  common  by  all  believers,  many 
Avill  rest  short  of  the  comfort  of  it.  And  indeed  this  is  the  case. 
How  few  believers  are  crying,  I^ord  give  me  the  comfort  of  this 
sealing.  In  believing  we  are  sealed.  In  believing  we  enjoy  the 
comiort  of  it.  But  here  is  also  another  precious  blessing  of  the  Lord 
to  his  people,  thf.  karnest  of  his  spirit.  This  also  is  the  pri- 
vilege of  all  believers.  Consider  what  is  an  earnest?  It  is  a  pledge 
given  in  covenants  and  bargains,  as  a  part  to  insure  the  whole. 
This  is  common  in  things  of  this  life.  So  in  salvation,  God  gives 
his  Spirit  as  the  earnest  and  pledge  of  our  certain  enjoyment  of  all 
the  glory  and  blessedness  of  heaven.  This  is  according  to  covenant 
love  and  promise  to  sinners  who  believe  in  Chrisi.  But  how  is  the 
Spirit  an  earnest  of  this?  Mind,  it  is  in  our  hkarts.  He  brings 
our  hearts  to  believe  in  and  to  be  in  love  with  Christ.  Yea,  brings 
Christ  into  our  hearts.  He  dwells  there  by  faith.  He  bears  witness 
of  Christ  and  salvation  by  him  to  our  hearts.  He  takes  of  the 
things  of  Christ,  such  as  adojrtion  by  Christ,  vmion  to  him,  pardon 
of  sin  through  his  blood,  justification  in  his  righteousness,  peace 
with  God  and  joy  in  God  through  his  mediation,  and  tl>c  hope  of 
eternal  life  through  his  intercession.  He  shews  these  unto  us. 
Thus  says  Christ,  "he  shall  glorify  rae."....John  xvi.  14.  And 
thus  he  fills  us  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing.  He  beais  witness 
to  our  spirits  that  we  are  the  children  of  God,  by  faith  in  Christ 
Jesus,  iind  that  salvation  is  sure  in  him  to  us.  O  believers,  see 
your  inestimable  privilege.  Give  the  Lord  the  glory  of  it.  Plead 
for  the  comfort  of  it.  This  will  endear  the  love  of  Father,  Son  and 
Spirit  to  your  hearts,  cause  you  to  look  down  with  contempt  on  the 
world,  to  hate  all  sin,  to  love  holiness,  and  to  look  up  with  longing 
delight  and  growing  meetness  for  heaven  and  glory.  And  be  assured 
that  as  inily  as  God  gave  his  Son  to  die  for  your  sins,  and  hath 
given  his  Spirit  as  an  earnest  in  you  heart,  eteraal  life  also  sliall  be 
yours  by  his  free  gift....Rom.  vi.  23. 


JANUARY  8.  11 

Ye  are  sealed  unto  the  day  of  redemption.... Eph.  iv,  SOv 

Who  are  thus  sealed?  Every  believer  in  Christ.  This  was 
shewed  in  the  last  meditation.  This  sealing'  here,  and  elsewhere,  is 
spoken  of  as  a  thing  done.  Ye  are,  ye  ivercy  God  hath  sealed  us.... 
2  Cor.  i.  22.  If  all  believers  ai*e  not  sealed,  it  is  absurd  to  exhort 
them:  "  grieve  not  the  Spirit,  whereby  ye  are  sealed."  Know,  be- 
lievers, that  this  is  your  inestimable  privilege.  Rejoice  in  it.  Give 
the  Lord  the  glory  of  it.  O,  may  the  Spirit,  the  sealer,  help  us  to 
make  some  improvement  of  it.  1st.  Are  all  believers  sealed  unto 
the  day  of  redemption?  then  is  their  state  safe,  and  theii'  salvation 
sure.  "The  foundation  of  God  standeth  sure,  having  this  seal,  the 
Lord  knoweth  them  who  are  his.".... 2  Tim.  ii.  19.  They  shall  be 
mine,  saith  the  Lord,  when  I  make  up  my  jewels,  8cc....Mal.  iii.  17. 
It  is  horrid  blasphemy  to  assert,  any  soul  may  go  to  hell  whom 
the  Spirit  has  sealed  with  the  broad  seal  of  heaven.  2d.  Are 
we  thus  sealed  by  the  Spirit?  then  let  our  souls  adore  his  eternal 
power  and  godhead,  and  praise  him  for  his  work  in  us.  What 
power  short  of  omnipotent  could  open  our  blind  eyes,  quicken  our 
dead  souls,  subdue  our  rebellious  wills,  and  bring  our  proud,  self- 
righteous  hearts  to  submit  to  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  to 
receive  him  for  our  whole  salvation?  Mas  the  Spirit  sealed  us  as  the 
sons  of  God,  and  jMissessed  our  hearts  with  the  peace  of  God  through 
faith  in  Christ?  3d.  lieware  that  you  do  not  grieve  the  Spirit.  Do 
we  bear  the  impress  of  the  Spirit's  seal?  Shall  we  then  do  the  devil's 
drudgery  in  our  lives,  with  (iod's  seal  upon  our  hearts?  O  ye  sealed 
ones  of  God,  be  singular  for  God.  Be  exemplary  in  your  lives 
before  God.  Consider  whose  image  and  superscription  you  beaiv 
Sink  not  below  your  dignity.  Shim  vanity-fair.  Avoid  what  grati- 
fies the  flesh.  Flee  the  scenes  of  folly.  Leave  them  to  souls  who 
know  not  the  love  of  your  Christ.  Live  in  the  Spirit  and  walk 
in  the  Spirit,  4th.  Sealed  believer,  know  that  this  sealing  of  the 
Spirit  is  the  finishing  grace  of  the  covenant  of  love.  Now  "you  are 
complete  in  Christ."... .Col.  ii.  10.  Your  title  is  clear  to  the  heavenly 
inheritance.  Live  by  faith  upon  the  conifort  of  it.  Reject  all  doubts 
and  fears  concerning  it.  Soon  yoa  sliall  possess  it..  Lay  hold  ons 
eternal  lLfe....l  Tim.  vl.  12. 

May  the  West  Spirit  Ih  my  lieart,  O,  may  1  never  once  forget 

Sweetly  dilTiise  abroad  What  a  poor  worm  1  am  : 

The  love  of  God,  th'  incarnate  God,  From  death  and  hell  redeem'd  by  btood,. 

Who  bought  me  with,  his  blood.  The  blood  of  Gods  dear  Lamb-    M. 


12  JANUARY  0. 

Lord  remember  me,  ivhcji  thou  comest  into  thy  kingdom.... 
Luke  xxiii.  42, 

When  Joseph  had  interpreted  the  chief  butler's  dream,  how 
pathetically  does  he  plead  with  him!  Think  of  me  when  it  shall  be 
well  with  thee.. ..Gen.  xl.  But  alas  I  such  the  base  ingratitude  of 
man,  all  was  in  vain.  When  restored  to  his  dignity  at  court,  hfe 
thought  no  more  of  poor  Joseph  in  prison.  Exalted  stations  elevate 
the  mind  above  feeling  for  the  distressed.  But  it  is  not  so  with  the 
King  of  kings.  He  is  ever  the  friend  of  poor  sinners.  He  remem- 
bers us  in  our  low  estate.  Behold,  for  us  he  now  hangs  on  the 
accursed  tree,  between  two  cursed  sinners.  One  was  taken,  X\\t 
other  left.  See  your  own  state  in  both.  Behold  the  marvellous 
power  of  the  Lord's  sovereign  grace  in  one.  Consider,  1st.  Heft 
is  a  reviler  of  Jesus  changed  into  a  petitioner  to  him.  There  was 
no  alteration  in  any  outward  circumstances.  All  things  continued  just 
the  same.  Christ  hung,  to  all  appearance,  as  a  mere  man  dying  at 
his  side.  What  then  caused  the  change  in  him  r  O,  hide  your 
heads  and  blush  at  your  proud  notions  of  your  free  will  I  fall  down 
and  adore  distinguishing  grace.  One  malefactor  is  left  to  his  free 
will  and  expires  blaspheming  Jesus:  the  other  dies  believing  in 
him  and  praying  to  him.  He  was  snatched  by  grace  from  the'gates 
of  death  and  hell,  as  a  brand  which  our  Saviour  Avould  not  suffer  to 
be  burned.  Now,  do  you  see  your  nature  as  wicked  and  yo\ir  state 
equally  as  desperate  as  this  thief's?  then  you  will  be  humbled.  Dd 
you  see  that  nothing  but  the  same  grace  of  Christ  can  save  you  ?  then 
you  will  exalt  the  free  grace  of  Christ.  2d.  See  the  effects  of  it. 
He  owns  the  justness  of  his  sentence,  reproves  his  free-will  brother, 
and  proclaims  the  innocence  of  Christ.  O,  fall  doAvn  and  own  that 
the  sentence  of  the  law  which  curses  you  for  sin,  is  just.  Repel 
the  pride  and  self-righteousness  of  your  heart.  Exalt  the  love  and 
grace  of  our  Saviour.  3d.  Hear  his  prayer.  Lord,  though  thou 
diest  as  an  ignominious  man,  yet  thou  art  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory. 
Remembek  me.  There  is  no  Saviour  but  thee,  no  salvation  but  by 
thee.  I  am  a  hopeless,  helpless  sinner;  unless  thou  save  me,  I 
must  be  damned  eternally.  Thou  art  a  King.  Thou  hast  a  kingdom. 
O,  bring  my  soul  into  it!  Now,  have  you  just  the  same  plea  this 
thief  had?  Have  you  no  other?  Do  you  desire  no  better?  Do  you 
expect  salvation  from  the  same  Saviour,  on  the  very  same  terms? 
Then  you  are  taught  by  the  same  Spirit,  have  the  same  faith  in, 
and  shall  soon  be  in  glory  with  the  same  Lord,  "who  is  rich  in  mercy 
unio  all  who  call  on  him.".. ..Rom.  x.  12. 


JANUARY   10.  15 

Hereby  kmnc yc  the  Spirit  of  God:  every  spirit  thatconfes- 
seth  that  Jesus  Christ  is  come  in  the  flesh,  is  of  God.... 
I  John  iv.  2. 
"  You  study  too  much,  it  will  kill  you,"  says  one  and  another. 
What  I  the  study  of  Christ,  who  i»  the  life,  health,  and  joy  of  one's 
soul,  kill  one?   Precious  death  to  die  in  such   sweet  exercise.     It  is 
only  to  fall  asleep   in  Jesus,  and   awake  with   him   in  g;lory.     I  am 
sure  (through  grace)  this  delightful  study  will  kill  the  life  of  sense, 
the    power  of  sin,   and  the   delusions   of  satan.     Christ  help  us  to 
study  him   more   and  more.       The   apostle  here  warns  us   against 
false  spirits  which   are  not  of  God.     He  bids   us  believe  not  every 
spirit  but  try  tiicm.     For  many  false  prophets  are  gone  out  under  a 
spirit  of  delusion.     We  are   in  danger  of  being  deceived  by  them. 
Here  is  a  fixed  rule  to  know  whether  they  are  of  God  or  not.      1st. 
Know  vk  the  Spirit   of  God.     Many  pretend  to  have  received 
him:  to  preach  by  his  inspiration;   to  glory  in  ecstacies  of  comfort 
and  revelations  from  the  Spirit.     Look  at  them  with  a  godly  jealousy. 
Be  iv>t   hastily  carried   away  by  them.     Do  not  condemn  your  own 
state   because   you  feel   yourself    a  burdened   sinner,  groan  under 
your  burden,  and   though  from  day  today  you   are   looking   unto' 
Jesus,  yet  have   not  these  ecstacies  and  transports  they  pretend  to. 
2d.   Know  the  Spirit  of  God,   hereby  "  every  spirit  that  confcsseth 
that  Jesus  Christ   is   come   in  the  flesh,  is  of  God."     This  is  the 
true   testimony  of  the  Spirit   of  God.     Keep   your  eye  steadily  on 
this.     What   is   implied   in  this?     1st.  That  God  and  man   in  one 
Christ  is  come  to  save  us.     2d.   The  end  of  his  so  coming  was  "  to 
finish  transgressions,  to  make   an  end  of  sins,  to  make  reconcilia- 
tion for  iniquity,  and  to  bring  in  everlasting  iightcousness."....Dan. 
ix.  24.     Christ  hath  perfectly  and  everlastingly  done  all  this  in  our 
flesh  for   our    souls.     Therefore,   3d.    If  the   whole  of  this   is   not 
confessed,  if  any  part  of  this  is  denied,  then  "  the   vision  and  pro- 
phecy is  not  allowed  to  be  sealed  up  and  finished."     And  if  comforts 
and  joys  arise  not  from  the  firm  belief  of  Christ's  finished  work  for 
us,  but  from  what  we  have  done  or  can  do  towards  our  own  salva- 
tion,   this   is  not   of    the   Spirit  of    God,    but  another   spirit,    the 
spirit  of  pride,  of  delusion,  and  of  anti-christ.     For  it  is  against  con- 
fessing that  Christ  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  fii-st  and  the  last, 
the  all  in  all  of  a  sinner's  salvation.     O,  beware  of  that  spirit  which 
bears  witness  of  any  thing  in  you  for  righteousness   to  justify  you 
before   God,  or  as   the  ground    of  your   acceptance    in   his   sight. 
Away  with  it  all  as  filth  and  dung.     Reject  both  the   spirit  and  his 
testimony.     Know  ye  "  the  Spirit  of  God  beareth  witness,  becaustt 
the  Spirit  is  truth.'....]  John  v.  6. 


U  JANUARY   II. 

Jf  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christy  he  is  none  of  his.... 
Rom.  vlii.  9. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  awful  truths  in  the  bible.  He  wh« 
hath  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  doth  not  know  Christ,  will  not  believe 
on  him,  cannot  love  him.  Then  that  dreadful  sentence  stands  out 
at^ainst  him;  living  and  dying  so,  will  certainly  fall  upon  him...."  If 
any  man  love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  be  anathema, 
maran-atha,"  that  is,  under  the  most  dreadful  curse,  till  the  Lord 
Cometh  to  execute  the  severest  vengeance  of  it....l  Cor.  xvi.  22. 
Jesus,  master  save  us  from  this.  Holy  Spirit,  rather  let  us  be  desti- 
tute of  every  blessing  than  want  love  to  Christ.  O,  shed  a  Saviour's 
love  abroad  in  our  hearts,  and  that  shall  kindle  ours.  What  is  it  to 
have  the  Spirit  of  Christ?  How  may  we  know  that  we  have  the 
Spirit  of  Christ?  Consider,  1st.  the  appellation  here  given  the 
Spirit  of  Christ.  This  will  greatly  help  us  to  solve  these  ques- 
tions. You  may  perceive  the  Spirit  a  man  is  of,  by  his  temper  and 
conduct.  The  men  of  this  world  have  the  spirit  of  this  world. 
Their  walk  and  conduct  shew  it.  They  set  their  affections  on» 
seek  all  their  happiness  in,  and  expect  all  their  comfort  from  the 
riches,  honors  and  pleasures  of  this  world.  So  it  is  with  us  all  by 
nature.  We  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  liut  when  the  fulness 
of  time  comes,  according  to  his  covenant  engagements  with  God 
the  Father  and  God  the  Son,  God  the  Spirit  is  pleased  to  visit  our 
€0uls.  Then  he  opens  our  eyes  to  see  both  our  own  sin  and  misery, 
*nd  to  behold  the  righteousness  and  happiness  there  is  in  Christ* 
He  enables  us  to  believe  in  Christ,  to  savour  the  things  of  Christ, 
and  to  cry  out,  none  but  Christ,  none  but  Christ  be  my  portion,  m 
time  and  to  eternity.  Have  we  a  sigh  in  our  hearts  after  Christ 
to  be  our  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption  ? 
This  is  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  Do  we  groan  under  a  body  of  sin 
and  death,  and  cry  out,  O  wretched  that  we  are,  who  shall  deliver 
us?  Do  we  thank  God  for  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  Saviour,  justifier 
and  deliverer?  We  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  Can  we  come  to  a 
throne  of  grace,  seeing  ourselves  miserable  sinners,  yet  believing 
the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin  and  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ  justifies  from  all  condemnation,  and  therefore  cry, 
God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner,  Jesus  save  me  or  I  perish  ?  This  is 
from  the  faith  of  Christ.  This  is  the  prayer  of  faith.  The  Spirit 
of  Christ  has  inspired  it.  We  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  Do  we 
delight  to  hear  of  Christ,  to  have  fellowship  with  Christ,  to  live 
upon  Christ,  to  walk  with  Christ,  and  to  have  the  power  of  Christ's 
grace  subdue  the  power  of  sin  in  our  hearts,  lips  and  lives?  Verily 
ve  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  "The  Spirit  lusteth  against  the  flesh, 
so  that  ye  cannot  do  the  things  that  ye  would.".. ..Gal.  v.  17. 


JANUARY   12.  15 

Jesus  said,  f?iy  mother  and  my  brethren  are  these,  zcho  hear 
the  zvord  of  God  and  do  it.... Luke  viii.  21. 

Looking  at  thinsjs  which  are  not  seen  keeps  the  soul  from  faint- 
ing and  invigorates  it  to  every  holy  duty.  Do  I  believe  Christ  now 
thinks  of  me  and  is  this  moment  pleading  my  cause  in  heaven? 
how  then  can  I  live  unholy  and  walk  uncomfortable  on  earth?  True, 
if  I  did  but  know  that  Christ  loved  me.  How  do  you  expect  to  know 
it?  Do  you  believe  he  loved  his  mother  and  his  brethren  after  the 
flesh?  It  cannot  be  doubted.  See  then  how  near  and  dear  to  Christ, 
in  a  spiritual  sense,  are  all  who  hear  the  word  of  Cod  and  do  it. 
They  bear  Christ  in  their  hearts  as  tnily  as  his  virgin  mother  car- 
ried him  in  her  womb.  They  are  as  verily  allied  to  him  by  faith, 
are  his  brethren  in  spirit,  as  others  wei'c  by  blood.  1st.  To  hear 
the  word  of  God  implies,  to  have  such  an  understanding  of  it, 
faith  in  it,  hope  from  it,  and  love  to  it,  as  to  cause  our  souls  to 
delight  in  Cod  the  speaker  and  our  affections  to  cleave  unto  him. 
2d.  Paul  speaks  of  tasting  the  good  word  of  God....Heb.  vi.  5. 
There  is  a  precious  savour  in  the  word.  To  hear  it  is  to  have  a 
spiritual  relish  for  it.  Just  as  food  is  savoury  to  the  palate,  so  is  the 
word  t)f  God  to  the  soul.  Sd.  The  word  testifies  of  the  word:  the 
letter  of  the  word,  of  the  spirit  of  the  word:  the  written  word,  of 
the  essential  word  ;  even  the  Lord  Jesus.  God  speaks  in  tlie  word 
of  Christ,  by  Christ,  and  of  himself  in  Christ.  Therefore  to  hear 
the  word  of  (iod,  is  to  receive  Christ  into  the  heart  by  faith,  to 
know  the  leather's  love  in  him,  and  to  expect  full  and  final  salvation 
by  him.  4th.  There  is  a  still  and  small  voice,  in  which  our  beloved 
speaks  internally,  the  words  of  his  gospel.  He  says,  "My  sheep 
hear  my  voice."  We  know  the  voice  of  our  shepherd.  It  is  the 
delight  of  our  souls  to  hear  him.  Is  this  all?  Do  we  only  hear? 
Arc  the  brethren  and  sisters  of  Christ  all  ear  only  ?  No;  blessed  be 
God,  we  are  born  again  by  the  word  of  God....l  Pet.  i.  2J.  There- 
fore we  not  only  hear  tlu;  word  of  God,  but  do  it.  What  is  implied 
in  this?  That  God's  precepts  are  regarded  by  us,  as  well  as  his  pro- 
mises to  us.  The  one  being  fulfilled  in  us,  causes  the  other  to  be 
dear  to  us.  In  one  word,  where  there  is  a  heart  to  hear  the  word 
of  God  there  is  a  desire  to  do  the  will  of  God.  These  are  insepa- 
rable. Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves.  "This  is  his  commandment, 
that  we  should  believe  on  the  name  of  bis  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and 
love  one  another....!  John  iii.  23.  In  believing  we  have  everlasting 
life....John  vi.  40.  In  loving  we  enjt)y  the  comforts  of  it....2  Cor. 
vi..6.  In  doing  the  will  of  God,  we  evidence  that  we  are  born  of 
God....  I  John  ii.  17.  O,  may  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  us  richly, 
in  all  wisdom,  Sec... Col.  iii.  16. 


16  JANUARY   IS. 

If'hcH  she  :cas  come  to  Solvinon,  she  communed  zii/h  him,  of 
all  that  teas  in  her  heart... A  Kings  x.  2. 

Bkhold  a  rare  instance  of  sovereign  grace.  A  king  and  queen 
met  to  talk  of  the  things  of  God.  Human  pomp  and  worldly 
grandeur  do  not  always  shut  the  heart  against  the  grace  of  Cod, 
"Though  not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not 
many  noble  are  called."....!  Cor.  i.  26.  Yet  it  pleases  our  Saviour  to 
call  some.  He  chooses  one  and  another  of  the  wise,  mighty  and 
poble,  to  bow  to  his  grace,  honor  his  name,  and  shine  as  distin- 
guished lights  in  the  world.  But  in  general  the  gospel  runs  most 
and  thrives  best  among  the  poor.  "  Hearken,  my  beloved,  hath  not 
God  chosen  the  poor  of  this  world,  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the 
kingdom  ?".... James  ii.  5.  Here  is  a  visit  paid  by  a  happy  queen  to 
9.  wise  king.  They  were  both  wise  and  happy,  for  they  were  wise 
unto  salvation.  1st.  See  the  cause  of  her  visit.  She  heard  of 
Solomon's  fame  concerning  the  name  of  the  Lokd.  This  is  the 
most  noble  of  all  fame.  Most  blessed,  when  that  is  the  first  and 
chief  spring  of  all  our  concerns.  But,  behold  a  greater  than  Solo- 
mon is  here.  The  fame  of  King  Jesus  is  proclaimed  all  through  the 
scriptures.  "In  him  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  know- 
Iedge."....Col.  ii.  3.  Yet  how  fev/  of  rich  and  poor  seek  unto  him? 
Awful !  this  royal  q\icen,  our  Lord  declares,  shall  rise  up  in  judg- 
ment with  and  condemn  all  such... .Matt.  xii.  42.  PJost  happy  those 
who  seek  unto  Jesus.  2d.  See  the  end  of  her  visit,  ''to  prove  him 
with  hard  questions."  Most  probable  w  ith  intricate  cases  of  con- 
science which  concerned  the  peace  of  her  soul.  Most  happy,  to  have 
free  access  to  Jesus,  to  pour  out  our  hearts  before  him  and  to  tell 
him  of  our  doubts  and  sorrows.  Not  moi-e  free  and  open  was  Solo- 
mon's heart  to  hear  and  answer  htr  hard  questions  than  the  friend 
of  sinners  is  to  all  who  come  unto  him.  Sd.  She  communed  with 
him  of  ALL  that  was  in  her  heart.  O,  it  is  well  with,  and  well  for 
us  to  lay  all  open  before  our  Lord,  and  to  keep  back  no  temptation 
however  vile,  beastly  and  devilish.  He  knows  what  is  in  us.  He 
likes  wf  should  confess  it  unto  him.  4th.  What  was  the  efiect  of 
this  visit?  joy  and  rapture.  "There  was  no  more  spirit  in  her." 
She  was  wi'apt  in  ccstacy.  She  cries,  "One  half  was  not  told  me: 
it  exceeds  the  fame  which  I  heard."  One  sight  of  Jesus  by  faith, 
one  whisper  from  his  loving  heart  will  cause  this.  O,  let  us  more  and 
more  meditate  upon  the  fame  of  Christ,  and  prove  it  from  hour  to 
hour  in  looking  to  him,  seeking  him,  calling  on  him,  and  living  upon 
him,  till  we  reign  with  him  in  heaven.  Then,  in  the  highest  ecstacy 
wc  slmll  Bay,  not  one  half  of  thy  gloi  y,  O  Jcsu,  has  been  told  us. 


JANUARY  22*  n 

Whosoever  abidelh  in  him  sinneth  not.... \  John  iii.  6. 

Beware,  O  my  soul,  of  licentious  spirits,  who  make  Christ  a 
minister  of  sin,  instead  of  a  Saviour  from  all  sin.  For  such  are 
strangers  to  the  sweet  experience  of  abiding  in  Christ,  whereby  sin 
is  dethroned  in  the  heart,  the  power  of  it  subdued  in  the  life,  and 
holiness  maintained  in  the  soul.  To  abide  in  Christ  is  to  continue 
to  believe  in,  and  rest  upon  him,  as  the  dwelling  of  our  souls. 
"Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place  in  all  generations.".... 
Psalm  xc.  1.  This  is  the  claim  and  confession  of  the  faithful.  Ask 
a  believer,  where  dwellest  thou  ?  he  will  reply,  on  my  own  freehold, 
my  Father's  patrimony,  where  my  treasure  is,  in  Christ.  Such 
an  one  sinneth  not.  What  I  never  sin  in  thought,  word,  or  deed? 
Has  he  BO  sin  in  him?  This  state  is  the  earnest  desire  of  his  soul. 
Verily  he  doth  not  abide  in  Christ  Avho  doth  not  long  for  it.  But 
&o  far  from  being  in  it,  that  every  believer  feels  he  is  a  lump  of  sin, 
knows  that  nothing  but  sin  dwells  in  his  flesh,  finds  if  left  to  himself, 
he  can  do  nothing  but  sin.  Yet  he  sinneth  not.  1st.  He  abides  in 
the  truth.  He  cannot  so  sin  as  to  lie  against  the  truth,  and  say  "  I 
have  no  sin."  2d.  So  as  to  reject  the  record  of  truth,  that  eternal 
life  is  in  Christ,  and  make  the  Ciod  of  truth  u  liar.  For  he  believes, 
that  free  remission  of  sin  and  full  justification  Unto  eternal  life,  is 
by  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ  only.  od.  As  a  new 
creature  in  Christ  he  sinneth  not.  He  lives  above  the  power  of  sin, 
hates  all  sin,  walks  contrary  to  sin,  and  strives  against  every  sin* 
4th.  He  sinneth  not,  as  under  the  law  of  works,  for  he  is  under  the 
grace  of  Christ.  Though  sin  lives  and  rages  in  his  flesh,  yet  he 
lives  not  in  sin.  He  is  dead  to  sin.  Sin  reigns  not  over  him.  Of 
every  evil  (let  who  will  abuse  it,  at  the  peril  of  his  soul)  he  may  say 
with  Paul:  "It  is  no  more  I  that  do  it,  but  sin  that  dwelleth  in 
ine."....Rom.  vii.  17.  5th.  He  sinneth  not  as  the  ungodly  do  or 
as  he  himself  did  while  unregenerate.  Then  the  whole  man,  spirit, 
soul  and  body  loved  sin,  wilfully  and  habitually  committed  sin  with 
enmity  against  God.  But  now  the  least  sin  is  his  grief.  The  very 
motions  of  sin  his  distress.  Lastly,  he  sinneth  not  to  the  damnation 
of  his  soul;  for  there  is  no,  not  one  condemnation  against  him,  as 
he  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  he  is  kept  by  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation.  O,  precious  abiding  of  faith  !  Victory  over  every  enemy 
is  sure ;  "  for  we  are  more  than  conquerors  through  Christ  who  loved 
us.".. ..Rom.  viii.  37. 

Stand  up  my  soul,  shake  off  thy  fears,     What  tho*  thine  inward  iur.ts  rebel  ] 
And  gird  the  gospel-armour  on  ;  'Tis  but  a  struggling  gasp  for  lite ; 

Marbh  to  the  gates  of  endless  joy,  The  weapons  of  victorious  grace 

Where  thy  great  captain  Saviour's  gone.  Shall  slay  thy  sins  and  «nU  thy  strif«. 

Vol.  H.  D 


26  .  JANUARY  23. 

Thou  shall  swear  the  Lord  livcth....Jer.  iv.  2. 

A  RF.BF.L  under  an  attainder,  a  malefactor  under  sentence  of 
death,  cannot  be  sworn  to  give  evidence  in  any  court*  Such  is  thy 
case,  O  sinner.  Thou  art  naturally  under  an  attainder  as  a  rebel 
against  the  King  of  kings ;  and  art  under  sentence  of  death  by  the 
law  of  God.  But,  if  an  earthly  monarch  by  a  royal  act  of  sovereign 
mercy  forgives  a  rebel,  and  pardons  a  malefactor,  they  are  then  good 
evidences  in  court.  So  it  is  with  thee,  O  believer;  thy  attainder  is 
taken  off,  thy  pardon  is  passed  under  the  broad  seal  of  heaven,  by  a 
sovereign  act  of  thy  gracious  Lord.  But,  never  forget  the  love  of 
Jesus  who  obtained  this  for  thee.  Well,  now  thy  Lord  challenges 
thee:  "Ye  are  my  witnesses,  saith  the  Lord."....Isa.  xliii.  10.  He 
subpoenas  us  into  court.  He  commands  us,  ye  shall  swear.  The 
Lord,  in  our  days  of  ignorance,  got  great  dishonor  from  us,  by  our 
taking  his  holy  and  sacred  name  in  vain :  if  not  by  profane  oaths 
and  horrid  imprecations,  (which  alas!  few  have  been  free  from) 
yet  in  many  other  ways.  Now  we  are  pardoned  by  him  and  returned 
to  him,  he  will  get  honor  and  glory  from  us.  Swearing  an  oath  is, 
1st.  for  the  confirmation  of  the  truth:  2d.  to  put  an  end  to  all 
$trife....Heb.  vi.  16.  Christian  attend  to  the  form  of  thy  oath:  thou 
shalt  swear  the  Lord  liveth :  can  you  swear  this  in  truth  from  your 
own  knowledge?  Hearsay  evidence  cannot  be  admitted  in  any  court. 
O,  but  if  thy  heart  is  quickened  and  turned  to  the  Lord,  if  thou 
believest  in  the  Son  of  God,  verily  thou  canst  give  sure  evidence 
that  the  Lord  liveth.  The  Lord  Jesus  liveth  in  thee  by  fa4th.  Thou 
hast  fellowship  with  him  who  saith,  "  I  am  he  that  liveth  and  was 
dead,  and  behold  I  am  alive  for  ever  more,  Amen,  and  have  the 
keys  of  hell  and  of  death.".. ..Rev.  i.  18.  Solemnly  attest,  and 
steadily  persist  in  this  truth,  in  the  presence  of  angels  and  men. 
Confirm  it  by  thy  solemn  oath  before  tlie  judge  of  all.  So  shall  it 
put  an  end  to  all  strife  in  thy  own  conscience.  As  surely  as  the 
Lord  hath  quickened  thy  spirit,  he  liveth  to  save  thy  soul  to  the 
uttermost.  Honor  thy  Lord  by  thy  sacred  testimony  to  his  life 
and  life-giving  influence.  Record  thy  solemn  oath  to  thy  Lord  in 
the  court  of  conscience;  produce  it  against  the  false  accusations 
and  lying  evidence  of  satan.  Fulfil  thy  Lord's  word  :  unto  me  every 
knee  shall  bow,  every  tongue  sliall  swear.  "  In  the  Lord  have  1 
righteousness  and  strength. "....Isa.  xlv.  24. 

Lamb  of  God,  in  thee  we  trust,  Hcav'n  and  eart>i  shall  pass  away, 

i)n  ihy  fix'd  love  deptnd :  But  thy  word  shall  firm  abide: 

Thou  art  faithful,  true  and  just,  That's  thy  children's  stedfast  stay. 

And  lovcbt  to  the  end.  When  all  things  fail  beside. 


JANUARY  24.  27 

Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my  people  sailh  your  God....Isa. 
xl.  1. 

1st.  Who  are  the  people  of  God?  I  am  of  that  number,  saith 
•ne,  "  for  I  feel  my  heart  as  full  of  comfort  as  ever  it  can  hold." 
It  may  be  so.  Then  this  text  is  not  for  thee.  But  it  will  do  thee 
no  harm  to  examine  into  the  nature  of  thy  comforts,  the  tendency 
of  them,  and  how  thou  camest  by  them.  Saith  another,  "  I  am  sure 
I  cannot  think  myself  one  of  the  people  of  Ciod."  Why  not? 
*'  Because  instead  of  the  comforts  of  God's  children,  I  have  con- 
tinual sorrow  and  conflicts,  am  oppressed  by  satan,  harassed  with 
temptations,  proan  under  a  body  of  sin  and  death,  and  dread  after  all 
that  I  shall  perish  in  my  sins  throui^h  unbelief."  Thou  art  the  very 
person,  one  of  the  happy  number  of  the  Lord's  people  of  whom 
he  here  speaks.  He  describes  his  people  as  poor  and  afflicted  who 
trust  in  his  name....Zeph.  iii.  12.  What  is  his  holy  and  blessed 
will  concerning  you  ?  Why,  2d.  That  you  should  be  comforted.  He 
knows  your  sorrows.  He  sees  you  want  comfort.  He  therefore 
commands  it  to  be  administered  unto  you.  This  is  a  commission 
peculiarly  directed  to  the  Lord's  ministers.  I  am  not  honored  with 
that  high  calling:  yet  the  Lord  may  graciously  condescend  to  ad- 
minister comfort  by  means  of  so  weak  and  mean  a  wretch  as  L 
For  Paul  says  to  private  christians,  "comfort  one  anothkr  with 
these  words."....  1  Thess.  iv.  18.  Therefore  it  is  our  duty.  The 
Lord  succeed  us  in  It.  Mind  then,  thou  poor  sorrowful  sinner,  who 
art  afflicted,  tossed  with  tempest  and  not  comforted:  behold  thy 
Lord  is  mindful  of  thee.  Take  notice  of  the  love  of  his  heart,  ih© 
sounding  of  his  bowels  over  thee  and  the  vehemence  he  speaks  with 
concerning  thee  ;  comfort,  comfort.  Thou  hast  sorrow  upon 
sorrow  in  thyself.  Here  is  comfort  upon  comfort  from  thy  Lord. 
He  is  the  God  of  all  comforts.  He  would  have  thy  soul  to  be  com- 
forted. Nay,  look  not  within  to  find  any  cause  why  thy  Lord  should 
have  such  love  to  thee,  or  concern  for  thee.  The  cause  lies  in  his 
own  loving  heart.  He  freely  gave  his  Son  for  thee,  he  freely  pro- 
mises his  Spirit  to  thee,  he  commands  comfort,  comfort  to  be  spoken 
to  thee.  Now,  wilt  thou  go  and  indulge  thy  besetting  sin  of  unbe- 
lief, and  say  after  all  this,  "  ray  Lord  careth  not  for  me,  he  hath 
forgotten  to  be  gracious  unto  me?"  O,  rather  bring  that  bosom  sin- 
of  unbelief  to  ihy  Lord:  beg  of  him  to  slay  its  power,  that  it 
dishonor  him  no  more  by  disbelieving  his  precious  word:  for  ho 
saith,  "  Can  a  woman  forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she  should  not 
have  compassion  upon  the  son  of  her  womb?  Yea  they  may  forget, 
yet  will  I  not  forj^ct  thee....Isa.  xlix.  1  j. 


28  JANUARY  25. 

O  death,  tvherc  is  thy  sting  ?  O  grave,  ivhere  is  thy  vic- 
tory? ...A  Cor.  XV.  o5. 

Says  a  celebrated  poet,  "all  men  think  all  men  mortal  but 
themselves."  True  there  is  a  natural  propensity  in  us  so  to  think; 
but  new-born  souls  not  only  know  they  are  mortal,  dying  creatures, 
but  in  the  exercise  of  grace  they  can  indulge  the  thoughts  of  death 
with  pleasing  reflections.  For  death  is  not  only  a  conquered  enemy 
by  the  captain  of  our  salvation;  but  he  is  also  enumerated  in  the 
catalogue  of  our  blessings.  "  Death  is  yours:"  yours  to  deliver  you 
from  all  your  evils  of  sin,  sorrow  and  temptations:  yours  to  intro- 
duce you  into  the  presence  of  your  God  and  Saviour,  and  into  the 
enjoyment  of  all  the  glory  and  blessedness  of  his  kingdom.  But 
death  has  a  sting  and  the  grave  a  victory:  this  sting  is  sin:  and 
what  gives  strength  to  sin  and  victory  over  the  sinner,  is  the  law  : 
that  darts  the  sting  into  us  and  so  fixes  it  in  us,  that  for  any  thing 
we  can  do,  we  must  feci  its  poisonous  sting  to  all  eternity.  But, 
"  Who  is  this  that  cometh  from  Edom  with  dyed  garments  from 
Bozrah?  This,  who  is  glorious  in  his  apparel,  travelling  in  the  great- 
ness of  his  strength?"  He  answers,  "  I  that  speak  in  righteousness 
mighty  to  save."....Isa.  Ixiii.  1.  It  is  tliat  glorious  warrior:  our 
almighty  conqueror  Jesus,  who  has  disarmed  death  of  his  sting  and 
obtained  a  compleat  victory  over  the  grave:  do  you  ask  what  is  this 
to  us?  Why  truly  we  can  draw  no  comfort  from  it,  unless  we  be- 
lieve in  him  and  look  upon  his  victories  as  obtained  for  us :  thus 
viewing  our  triumphant,  risen,  ascended  Saviour,  we  shall  be  enabled 
in  the  confidence  of  faith  to  &ay,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?" 
Thou  hast  lost  it  in  the  flesh  of  Christ  j  by  his  death  he  hath  de- 
prived thee  of  it ;  through  death  he  hath  destroyed  him  who  had 
the  power  of  death,  that  is  the  devil ;  and  delivers  them  who, 
through  fear  of  death,  were  all  their  life  time  subject  to  bondage.... 
Heb.  ii.  14,  15.  Art  thou  in  bondage  through  fear?  who  holds  thee 
under  it?  Thy  worst  enemy  the  devil:  by  -what  means?  unbelief: 
Because  thou  dost  not  believe  thy  best  friend,  thy  dear  Redeemer. 
Dost  thou  say  I  would  believe,  but  cannot :  what  ?  canst  thou  not 
believe  thy  Lord?  He  says  to  all  thy  questioning  doubts,  "  I  spkak 
IN  righteousness:"  I  have  wrought  out  and  brought  in  an  ever- 
lasting righteousness,  to  clothe  your  naked  soul  and  to  make  you 
stand  before  the  throne  of  God  perfect  and  entire,  lacking  nothing. 
Believe  this,  and  triumph  over  sin  and  death.  Mighty  to  save. 
Can  the  power  of  sin,  death  and  hell  withstand  my  might?  Look 
unto  mc  and  be  saved  from  thy  bondage  and  fear.  Receive  his  word : 
rejoice  in  the  comfort  of  it:  Christ  hath  fulfilled  it;  "O  death,  I  will 
be  thy  plagues;  O  grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction. "....Hos.  xiii.  14. 


JANUARY  26.  29 

Is  his  mercij  clean  gone  for  ever?  doth  his  promise  fail  for 
ever  more  ?....Fsiiim  Ixxvii.  8. 

It  is  one  thing  for  God  to  desert,  and  another  to  disinherit:  the 
former  he  frequently  does  by  his  children :  the  latter  he  never  did 
to  any  one  of  them  :  he  may  change  in  his  conduct  to  them,  but  never 
in  his  love  for  them.  That  is  a  sweet  expostulation  of  the  Lord's, 
"how  shall  I  give  thee  up  Ephraim?"....Hos.  xi.  8.  It  reminds  one 
of  the  tender  alHection  of  a  loving  father  to  a  disobedient  son,  with 
a  pen  in  his  hand,  just  going  to  execute  a  deed  to  disinherit  him  ; 
but  love  pleads,  his  fatherly  bowels  yearn,  his  heart  melts.  Though 
he  is  disobedient,   yet  he  is  iMV  child,  my  heir,  the  son  of  my  loins. 

1  cannot  give  him  up;  I  cannot  cut  him  off;  I  will  not  do  it.  The 
love  of  (iod  to  his  children  infinitely  exceeds  that  of  the  most  tender 
parent.  He  allows  there  may  be  such  monsters  in  nature  for  a  mother 
not  to  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her  womb ;  but,  says  the  Lord, 
"  I  will  never  forget  thee."....Isa.  xlix.  1 5.  "  For,  he  will  rest,  or  be 
silent  in  his  love."....Zeph.  iii.  17.  Though  thou  dost  not  hear  the 
voice  of  comfort,  and  the  melody  of  joy,  yet  his  love  is  the  same. 
He  cannot  change.  "  God  is  love."....  I  Johniv.  8.  Nothing  but 
love  to  his  people  in  Christ;  therefore  it  is  impossible  for  his  mercy 
to  be  clean  gone,  or  his  promise  ever  to  fail.  It  Mas  of  his  rich 
mercy  and  great  love,  that  he  quickened  us  when  dead  in  sins....Eph. 
ii.  4,  5.  Therefore  we  cannot  pcrisji  for  want  of  mercy.  "God's  pro- 
mises are  all  in  Christ  Jesus,  Yea  and  Amen,  to  his  own   glory." 

2  Cor.  i.  20.  Therefore,  God  would  lose  the  glory  of  his  truth  if 
one  of  them  should  fail.  O,  why  then  should  any  poor  sinner  thus 
question  his  mercy  and  his  promise?  Take  shame  to  thyself;  say 
with  the  Psalmist:  "  It  is  my  infirmity."  No  marvel,  if  under  in- 
firmities, you  call  in  question  the  mercy  and  truth  of  a  faithful  cove- 
nant God ;  that  you  should  question  your  own  state,  and  think  you 
are  not  a  vessel  of  mercy,  antl  that  not  one  promise  is  for  you. 
But  your  very  questionings,  fears  and  concerns  shew  it;  the  dead 
in  sin  look  not  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eter- 
nal life;  unregencrate  souls  see  nothing  of  the  exceeding  great  and 
precious  promises  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus ;  they  have  no  concern 
about  them.  O,  therefore,  instead  of  questioning  God's  mercy,  plead 
it.  Own  this  as  thy  sin  to  doubt  of  it.  Instead  of  doubting 
his  promises,  look  at  them,  glory  in  them,  give  God  the  glory  of 
them.  Stagger  not  at  the  promise  through  unbelief.  "  Be  strong 
in  faith  and  give  glory  to  God.".... Rom.  iv.  20, 


30  JANUARY  27. 

If  in  tills  life  only  ive  have  hope  in  Christy  wc  arc  of  all 
men  most  miserable....  \  Cor.  xv.  19. 

Here  is  a  supposition,  and  a  consequence  drawn  from  it.  Con- 
sider, 1st.  This  hope  in  Christ:  it  is  not  common  to  all  inen;  it 
is  a  precious  i^race  of  the  holy  Spirit ;  it  springs  from  faith  in  Christ ; 
it  looks  to  the  promises  in  Christ,  and  is  nourished  and  supported 
by  them.  It  is  a  mvkly  hopk,  we  are  "begotten  again  to  it,  ac- 
cording to  the  abundant  mercy  of  God  our  Father,  by  the  resurrec- 
tion of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead."....  1  Peter  i.  3.  I3y  it  we  are 
made  to  differ  from  all  other  men,  who  though  they  niay  talk  of 
hope  in  God,  yet  have  no  hope,  but  are  without  Christ  and  with- 
out God  in  the  world. ...Ephes.  ii.  12.  Here  is  the  proof  of  it. 
"Every  man  who  hath  this  hope  in  him  purifieth  himself,  even  as  he 
is  pure."....l  John  iii.  3.  Mind,  Christ  is  the  object  of  this  hope, 
it  is  IN,  or  ON  Christ.  The  man  who  is  the  subject  of  it,  purifies 
himself.  How?  By  the  blood  of  Chrisi,  and  by  the  grace  of  Christ. 
From  what?  From  all  sin:  from  the  love  of  this  world:  from  the 
pomps  and  vanities  of  it.  He  lives  not  in  them ;  he  walks  not  after 
them;  he  hates  them;  he  despises  them ;  hope  on  Christ  springs 
up  in  his  heart;  that  kills  the  love  of  the  world  in  him.  2d.  What 
is  it  to  have  hope  in  this  life  onlv?  To  have  our  prospect  bounded 
by  the  narrow  limits  of  time  and  sense :  to  take  up  with  the  joys  and 
pleasures  of  the  present  world;  to  set  our  affections  on  them,  and 
seek  all  our  happiness  in  them,  w  ithout  looking  after  and  longing  for 
the  invisible  glories  of  abetter  world.  3d.  Why  then  are  we  of  all  men 
the  most  miseral)Ie  ?  1st.  Because  we  are  new  creatures  in  Christ; 
we  have  a  new  and  spiritual  nature  in  and  from  him;  M'e  have  com- 
munion  and  fellowship  with  him;  therefore,  we  cannot  enjoy  the 
pleasures,  honors  and  riches  of  this  world  as  other  men  do:  we  are 
*' crucified  to  the  world.  "....Gal.  vi.  14.  2d.  We  are  miserable  from 
tlie  malice,  hatred,  and  persecution  of  the  men  of  the  world  for  our 
hope  in  Christ.  Sd.  We  are  miserable  fron)  the  burden  of  a  body 
of  sin,  which  others  feel  not:  from  the  fiery  darts  of  satan,  which  at 
others  he  shoots  not:  the  workings  of  unbelief,  which  others  find  not: 
that  we  ever  offend  the  Lord,  which  others  care  not  for:  that  we 
caiinot  perfectly  and  perseveringly  obey  his  will  in  all  things,  which 
others  concern  not  themselves  about:  that  ever  the  Lord  hides  his 
face  and  deserts  our  souls,  M'hich  others  know  nothing  of.  From 
these  ancVinnumerable  other  things,  christians  of  all  other  men  are 
most  miserable.  Hut,  ()  Ijlessed  hope  in  CJu'ist:  "He  is  our  hope." 
....I  Tim.  i.  1.  While  Jesus  lives  our  hope  lives.  Time  with  all 
its  changes  cantiot  frustrate  it:  death  with  all  its  terrors  cannot  de- 
stroy it :  eternity  with  all  its  glories  will  bo  the  end  and  fruition  of  it» 


JANUARY  28.  31 

Tlie  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  from  heaven  against  all  un- 
godliness and  unrighteousness  of  men. ...Rom.  i.  18. 

One  sin  ruined  the  whole  race  of  Adam;  it  brought  curse  and 
wrath  upon  every  soul  of  man.  Every  man  that  ever  lived,  that 
BOW  lives,  and  that  ever  shall  live  upon  this  earth,  is  by  nature  a 
child  of  wrath,  and  the  wrath  of  CJod  is  revealed  from  heaven 
against  his  sin,  not  one  soul  excepted.  How  is  this  wrath  revealed? 
Isi.  At  the  giving  the  holy  law  on  Mount  Sinai.... Exod.  xix.  There 
the  Lord  revealed  ail  the  terror  and  glory  of  his  majesty,  as  the 
most  holy,  sin-hating  Cod.  O,  think  of  the  mount  that  burned 
with  fire,  the  blackness,  darkness  and  tempest :  the  awful  sound  of 
the  trumpet:  the  terrible  voice  of  words,  which  ti.ey  who  heard, 
entreated  they  srliould  not  lie  spoken  any  more ;  and  so  terrible  was 
the  sight,  that  evt:n  Moses  said,  "I  exceedinp;ly  fenr  and  quake.".... 
Heb.  xii.  21.  O,  think  of  this,  and  think  not  what  is  called  the  least 
sin  a  little,  thing,  for  it  has  lighted  up  the  fire  of  (iod's  wrath.  2d. 
See  the  wrath  of  God  revealed,  in  drowning  the  old  world;  in  burn- 
ing Sodom  and  Gomorrah ;  in  the  matter  of  Korah ;  and  in  his 
judgments  upon  the  ungodly  in  all  ages.  "God  is  angn*'  with  the 
wicked  every  day. ".... Psalm  vii.  11.  The  fire  of  his  wrath  and 
indignation  ever  smokes  against  all  sin.  Remember  tliis  and  he 
watchful.  3d.  Reflect  on  the  wrath  of  God  revealed  from  hea- 
ven, when  he  took  vengeance  on  his  beloved  Son  for  the  sins  of 
his  people.  See  our  iniquity-bearing,  sin-atoning,  curse-sustaining 
Lamb  of  God  on  the  cross.  There  see  what  sin  is ;  there  view  the 
indignation  of  God  against  it ;  his  justice  punishing  it,  and  the  awful 
vengeance  he  executed  upon  it.  O  my  soul,  think  of  thy  Saviour's 
inconceivable  sufferings  for  sin.  Here  see  the  exceeding  sinfulness 
of  sin  ;  view  its  crimson  dye  in  the  purple  gore  of  the  Son  of  God. 
Ever  think  of  this,  love  the  Lamb,  and  strive  against  all  sin ;  for, 
4th.  the  wrath  of  God  is  revealed  against  sin,  even  in  his  own  chil- 
dren. He  equally  hates  their  sins,  will  punish  sin  in  them,  and 
them  for  sin  too.  Beware  of  any  doctrine  that  makes  light  of  sin ; 
or,  as  though  God  has  not  the  same  abhorrence  of  sin,  indignation 
and  wrath  against  sin  in  his  own  children  as  well  as  others.  Do 
not  hold  the  truth  in  unrighteousness;  never  think  of  reconciling  a 
holy  God  to  abominable  sin.  5th.  The  wrath  of  God  is  revealed 
in  the  conscience  of  his  people.  By  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin 
....Rom.  iii.  20.  And  the  law  worketh  wrath....Rom.  iv.  15.  It  fills 
the  mind  with  terrible  apprehensions  of  the  wrath  of  God,  and  a 
fearful  looking  for  of  his  judgment,  and  fiery  indignation  against 
sin.  Bless  Jesus  that  his  blood  ckanseih  from  all  sin ;  and  lastly, 
remember  the  awful  day  when  "God  will  take  vengeance  on  them 
who  obey  not  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ."... .2  Thess.  i.  8. 


32  JANUARY  29. 

Let  us  search  and  try  our  icays,  and  turn  again  to  the 
Lord. ...Lam.  iii.  40. 

This  book  is  justly  styled)  The  Lamentations.     The  dear 
children  of  God  were  now  in  captivity  and  deep  distress.     Jeremiah 
most   pathetically  enumerates  and   laments  their  great  calamities. 
We  shall  never  get  out  of  this  book  of  Lamentations  while  in  the 
body.     We  daily  see  cause  for  lamentation  on  one  account  and  ano- 
ther; and  indeed  if  we  did  not,  it  would  be  a  sad  sign  that  our  eyes 
are  blinded  by  seif-righteous  pride,  or  our  hearts  hardened  through 
the  deceitfulness  of  sim     "As  sorrowing,  yet  always  rejoicing,"  is 
the  christian  motto.     Times  of  calamity,  and  seasons  of  distress, 
call  for  self-examination  and  soul-searching.     This  will  keep  down 
murmurings  and  complainiug.      1st.  Let  us  search,  look  for  and 
enquire  after  something  that  may  support  and  comfort  us,  and  teach 
lis  to  improve  our  distress.     Soul,  let  thy  circumstances  be   what 
they  may,  thy  Lord's  advice  is  ever  seasonable.     "  Search  the  scrip- 
tures:"    Why?    They  testify   of  me.. ..John  v.  39.     Christ  is   the 
head  of  the  covenant:   in  him  the  Father  loves  us:  through  him  his 
love  flows  to  us.     Afflictions   flow   from   covenant    love,  and   shall 
answer  covenant  purposes.     The  scriptures  are  written  for  our  com- 
fort.    There  we  find  that  we  have  the  common  lot  and  inheritance 
■with   all  saints.     2d.   Try  our  ways,  by  that  standard  of  justice 
and  perfection,  the  law  of  God.     O,  how  will  this  make  the  sense  of 
sin  abound  in  our  eyes!   Is  the  law  of  God  holy?  our  ways  are  un- 
holy.    Is  the  law  spiritual?    we  are  carnal,  sold  under  sin.     Is 
the  law  JUST?  our  ways  are  unjust.     Is  the  law  good?  in  us,  that 
is,  in  our  flesh  dwells  no  good.     What  must  we  do?   Must  we  sit 
down  in  melancholy,  give  up  all  hope,  and  write  despair  upon  our 
hearts?  No,  blessed  be  God;  though  sin  has   destroyed   us,  there 
is  salvation   in  the  Lord  for  us.     3d.   Turn  again  to  the  Lord: 
such  is  the  acting  of  a  gracious  heart,  having  once  tasted  that  the 
Lord  is  gracious,  and  known  the  precious  love  of  Christ,  it  cannot 
be  happy  in  sin ;   it  cannot  bear  to  live  at  a  distance  from  the  Lord, 
its  life  and  love.     Believing   that  all  our  iniquities  were  laid  upon 
Christ,  that  he  boreT^icm  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree,  it  cannot  rest 
till  it  again  finds  pardon  in  his  blood,  the  peace  of  God  and  joy  in 
the  Holy   Ghost.     Bless   the   Lord,  O   my    soul,  for  that  gracious 
word,  "Return  ye  backsliding  children  and  I  will  heal  your  back- 
slidingR."....Jer.  iii.  22. 

Sin  and  the  pow'rs  of  hell,  RememUer  all  thy  grace, 

I'crMiailc-  me  to  despair  ;  And  lead  mc  in  thy  truth, 

J,)r(l  make  me  knn\\'  thy  cov'nant  well,  Forgive  the  sins  of  riper  years, 

'i  hat  1  may  'scape  tlieir  snare.  And  f<il!ici)  of  my  youth. 


JANUARY  30.  33 

Being  justified  freely  by  his  grace y   through  the  reckmp' 
tion  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus. ...Rom.  iii.  24. 

Who  are  in  this  happy  state?   Men,   apostate  men,  who  hare 
alike  "  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God."     But  are  im- 
penitent, unbelieving;  sinners  justified?   Who  will  dare  avouch  this? 
Paul  fully  contradicts  it:   he   expressly  says,  "  the  righteousness  of 
God   (that   one   righteousness    which    God    appoints,    accepts    and 
approves)  which  is  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  (received  by  that   faith 
which  Jesus  is  the  author  and  finisher  of....Heb.  xii.  2.)  is  unto  all 
and  upon   all   them    who    bklikvk.     But  unbelievers  reject   this 
glorious  righteousness  of  Christ ;  therefore  they  are  not   in  a  state 
of  justification.     Doubtless   God  had    in  his  heart  secret  and  eter- 
nal purposes  to  justify  all  them  who  shall  believe;  therefore  he  gives 
them  faith  in  time.     Then  what  was  eternally  decreed,  elfectually 
takes  place  in  their  souls ;  then  they  come  as  condemned  malefactors, 
to  plead  this  act  of  free  grace  at  the  bar  of  justice,  at  the  footstool 
of  mercy;  and  from  the  ground  of  their  hearts  give  God  the  gloiy 
of  it;  for  God  is  just,  while  he  is  the  justifier  of  him  who  belikvks 
IN  Jksus.     O  happy  believer  in  Jesus;   thou,  even  thou,  though 
in  thyself  a  miserable   sinner   yet  art   freely  justified:   thou  art   as 
fully  freed  from   all   condemnation   fur   sin   as   though   thou   hadst 
never  committed  a  sin.     You  are  as  perfectly  righteous  before  God 
as  if  you  had  never  sinned;  infinitely  more   so  than  if  Adam  had 
never  fell  and  you  had  been  born  an  innocent  creature :   for  you  are 
arrayed  with  the  glorious  righteousness  of  the  Jehovah-man,  Christ 
.  Jesus.     Why  are  you  not  always  happy  and  joyful  in  this?   Pride  is 
in  your  nature:  that  says  it  cannot  be,  I  must  have  some  hand  in  pro- 
curing it.     Legality  works  in  you:   that  says  I  nmst  perform  some 
condition  to  obtain  it.     Unbelief  sets  itself  against  it,  and  says  it  is 
impossible  it  should  be  true.     All  the   evil   that  is  in  your  fallen 
nature  opposes  free  and  full  justification  by  the  grace  of  God :  it  is 
your  grand  business  to  oppose  the  truth  of  God  against  all,  and  to 
believe  in  opposition  to   all.     Fix,  O  fix  your  constant  eye  on  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus;  free  grace  sets  that  before  you: 
glory  only  and  alone  in  this ;  for  by  this  you  are  delivered  from  capti- 
vity to  sin,  satan  and  the  law ;  and  have  a  full  and  everlasting  title  to 
heaven:  all  grace  and   glory  comes  from  free   grace   through  this. 
O,  be  strong  in  faith  and  give   Jesus   the   glory  of  this ;  and  while 
you  look  at  and  glory  in  your  blessed  privileges,  be  careful  of  your 
walk:  consider  how  highly  you  are  favored  of  God,  and   how  you 
ought  in  all  things  to  study  to  please  God,  and  ever  fear  to  offend 
him;  for  "  God  is  love.".... I  John  iv.  8. 
Vol.  II,  E 


oi  JANUARY  51. 

This  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever :  he  zvill  be  our 
guide  even  unto  death. ...Psalm  xlviii.  14. 

Here  is,  1st.  The  joyful  claim  of  faith.  This  God:  just  as 
though  the  sinner  saw  hini  as  visible,  pointed  to  him  and  exulted  in 
him...."  Is  our  Gotl."  It  is  our  special  mercy  we  do  not  serve  an 
unknown  God  :  our  God  has  manifested  himself  to  us:  is  known 
by  us :  we  have  felt  his  sovereign  grace  and  almighty  power  within 
us.  Hence  we  own  him,  come  to  him,  and  rejoice  in  him,  as  our 
covenant  God  in  Christ.  He  -came  from  heaven  to  earth  to  seek 
and  to  save  us ;  he  has  given  us  hearts  to  ascend  from  earth  to 
heaven:  there  we  view  our  reconciled  God  and  Father  at  perfect 
peace  with  us :  our  God  Redeemer  ever  living  to  save  us :  our  God 
and  comforter  bringing  the  joys  of  salvation  into  our  hearts,  and 
thereby  sanctifying  us  unto  eternal  glory :  "  this  our  God,  ever  rests 
in  his  love  to  us."....Zeph.  iii.  17.  "  He  will  never  turn  away  from 
us  to  do  us  good."....Jer.  xxxii.  40.  For,  2d.  He  is  "  our  God  for 
ever  and  ever:"  not  only  yesterday  and  to-day,  while  our  frames 
are  warm  and  lively,  and  our  comforts  strong;  but  through  every 
revolving  period  of  time,  and  in  every  distressing  circumstance. 
O,  cutting  thought,  if  God  were  ever  to  cease  to  be  our  God! 
Some  say,  God  may  be  our  loving  God  and  Father  to-day,  but  to- 
morrov,'  may  cast  us  off"  in  his  wrath  and  become  our  implacable 
enemy  for  ever.  What!  does  God  beget  children  for  the  devil? 
Has  Christ  redeemed  souls  by  his  blood  which  may  be  damned  in 
hell  ?  Does  the  Spirit  quicken  and  sanctify  souls  who  may  inhabit 
the  bottomless  pit?  O,  this  is  not  the  language  of  scripture  and 
faith,  but  of  ignorance  and  unbelief:  it  comes  from  devilish  pride, 
thinking  we  do  something  to  cause  God  to  be  our  God:  it  tends  to 
dreadful  presumption,  thinking  we  can  do  something  to  keep  him 
our  God:  it  ends  in  awful  desperation;  for  if  we  fail  on  our  parts, 
we  lose  God  and  our  souls  for  ever.  No:  but  3d.  O  joyful  truth; 
"  our  God  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death."  Then  we  eannot 
sin  our  souls  out  of  his  hands ;  "  for  Christ's  blood  cleanseth  from 
iill  sin."....  1  John  i.  7.  "  We  cannot  forfeit  his  mercy,  it  endureth 
for  ever.".. .. Psalm  cvi.  1.  "  He  will  guide  us  into  all  truth.".... 
John  xvi.  13.  His  truth  forbids  all  sin:  his  everlasting  love  con- 
strains from  it:  his  promises  excite  to  all  holiness;  and  we  are 
filled  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing  him,  when  he  says,  "  I 
will  never  leave  you  nor  forsake  you."....Heb.  xiii.  5. 

The  God  we  worship  novr  Will  be  our  God  while  here  below, 

Will  guide  us  till  we  die,  And  ours  above  the  sky. 


FEBRUARY   1.  5$ 

And  the  Lord  went  his  zvay  as  soon  as  he  had  left  commun- 
ing with  Abraham,  and  Abraham  retiniied  nnto  his 
place. ...Gen.  xviii.  33. 

Love  is  the  bond  of  friendship.  Unless  love  be  mutual,  friend- 
ship cannot  subsist:  the  sweets  of  friendship  are  enjoyed  in  free 
communications:  friends  are  delighted  with  each  other's  presence; 
long  absence  causes  pain:  this  is  true  between  God  and  the  soul. 
If  you  feel  concern  at  the  absence  of  God,  you  love  God;  you  are 
a  friend  of  the  Lord's :  the  Lord  sioops  to  earth ;  he  takes  our  flesh ; 
he  visits  and  converses  with  us  as  friends:  this  same  Lord  communes- 
with  Abraham.  Consider,  1st.  Abraham  v/as  a  poor  sinner  as  we 
are;  he  could  no  more  behold  the  essential  glovy  of  the  Godhead 
without  a  mediator,  than  we  can ;  nor  can  God,  in  his  essential  glory, 
as  perfectly  holy  and  righteous,  di-aw  near  to  fallen  man  without  a 
mediator,  but  sudden  destruction  must  be  his  awfiil  doom  :  therefore 
it  was  Jesus  the  Lord,  the  sinner's  friend,  mediator,  justifier  and 
Saviour,  that  communed  with  Abraham.  It  is  Jcsirs  "vtith  whom 
we  have  to  do."  "He  is  the  word  of  God  to  us."....lleb.  iv.  13. 
This  revives  and  refreshes  our  dejected  spirits.  2d.  Though  this 
visit  and  communion  with  the  Lord  was  precious,  yet  it  did  not  lust 
long.  The  Lord  went  his  way.  Do  not  you  frequently  find  it 
so?  Christ  comes  and  pays  a  love-visit  to  your  soul ;  he  sweetly 
communes  with  you ;  he  warms  your  heart ;  he  comforts  your  soul : 
it  is  but  for  a  season;  he  goes  his  way ;  you  cannot  but  be  sorry ; 
you  reckon  those  moments  tedious  that  intervene  between  one  loving 
visit  and  another:  you  say  with  the  disciples,  "Did  not  my  heart 
burn  within  me  ?".... Luke  xxiv.  32.  And  with  others.  "O  thou 
hope  of  Israel  the  Saviour,  why  shouldst  thou  be  as  a  wayfaring  man, 
who  tarries  but  a  night  l"....Jer.  xiv.  8.  But  faith  lives  upon  Jesus, 
though  sensible  comforts  are  wanting.  3d.  Abraham  returned  to 
his  own  place:  to  the  tents  in  Mxmre:  which  signifies  rebellions 
or  bitter:  he  must  again  feel  the  rebellions,  and  taste  the  bitter  of 
his  fallen  nature:  there  is  love  in  this  as  well  as  in  the  Lord's  visits 
and  communings..  Wisdom  prescribes  this  portion ;  love  administers 
it;  grace  makes  it  profitable.  Says  our  dear  Lord,  "What  I  do 
thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shall  know  hereafter."... .John  xiii.  7. 
Our  Lord's  love  is  ever  the  same ;  his  afiections  change  not:  though 
he  may  leave  off"  communing  with  thee  below,  yet  he  never  ceases 
praying  for  thee  above.  This  is  precious  to  the  faith  of  our  hearts. 
Do  we  come  unto  God  by  him  ?  He  is  able  to  save  us  to  the  utter- 
most; "he  ever  lives  to  make  intercession  for  us."....ilcb.  vii.  25. 


3'6  FEBRUARY  -. 

Godly  sorroiv  xcorketli  repentance  unto  salvation,  not  to  he 
repented  of.... 2  Cor.  vii.  ](). 

By  legal  preaching,  setting  forth  the  curses  of  the  law  and  the 
terrors  of  hell,  a  sinner's  conscience  may  be  made  to  tremble  under 
the  dread  of  damnation;  he  may  be  said  to  repent.  "Judas  thus 
repented  himself,  and  said  I  have  sinned."  He  might  be  sorry  for 
it;  his  sin  might  make  his  heart  ache  and  fill  his  soul  with  horrors: 
but  here  was  no  godly  sorrow;  God  was  not  in  his  heart:  no  repen- 
tance unto  salvation;  this  was  out  of  his  sight:  his  repentance  was 
unto  damnation;  for  "he  went  out  and  hanged  himself.".. ..Matt, 
xxvii.  5.  Natural  fears  and  legal  terrors  may  excite  sorrow  -vnthout 
the  grace  of  repentance.  1  st.  What  then  is  godly  sorrow  ?  It  springs 
from  God,  it  is  excited  by  the  views  of  God,  it  is  directed  to  God, 
and  arises  in  the  heart  on  account  of  God.  With  David  the  soul 
cries,  "against  thee  only  have  I  sinned.".. ..Psalm  li.  4.  The  heart 
is  pierced  to  the  very  quick  with  anguish  for  having  sinned  against 
a  God  in  Christ,  a  sin-pardoning,  a  soul-comforting,  a  most  affec- 
tionate Father.  This  is  the  sorrow  of  faith ;  it  is  grateful  to  God. 
2d.  "It  woRKKTH  repentance;  it  causes  the  soul  to  change  its 
mind  and  its  conduct.  Its  mind.  Sin  and  satan  had  deceived  it:  it 
foolishly  fancied  there  were  some  sweet  charms  in  sin  that  could 
make  it  quite  happy;  but  it  now  feels  the  wormwood  and  gall  of 
it;  it  looks  at  its  sin,  and  looks  at  its  Saviour,  and  cries,  O  my  Lord 
and  my  God,  could  I  ever  be  so  mad  as  to  turn  from  thee  to  sin  I  I 
lament  my  folly:  Jesus  pardon  me.  Its  conduct.  Godly  sorrow 
causes  the  soul  to  turn  away  from  sin  w  ith  loathing  and  detestation, 
and  to  turn  to  the  Lord  with  humble  faith,  holy  hope,  ardent  desire, 
and  earnest  cry  ;  O  my  Jesu,  "  restore  to  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation : 
cast  me  not  aAvay  from  thy  presence;  take  not  thy  holy  Spirit  from 
me."....Psalm  li.  11,  12.  Though  sin  has  made  me  miserable,  yet 
thou,  and  thou  only  canst  make  me  happy.  3d.  This  repentance  is 
unto  salvation;  it  brings  the  soul  to  Jesus:  "There  is  salvation  in 
him  and  in  no  other.".. ..Acts  iv.  12.  4th.  This  is  not  to  be  repent- 
ed of.  O,  my  soul,  canst  thou  ever  change  thy  mind  concerning 
the  precious  salvation  of  Jesus,  by  repentance  vmto  life,  from  a 
godly  sorrow  for  sin  I  Beware  then  of  those  "  fools  who  make  a 
mock  of  sin."....Prov.  xiv.  9.  Of  those  mad  fools  who  deride  godly 
sorrow  for  sin,  and  laugh  at  all  repentance  as  downright  legality : 
but,   says  Jesus,  "except   ye  repent,  ye  shall   all   perish."....Luke 


'Twas  for  my  sins  my  dearest  Lord,  Whilst  with  a  melting  broken  heart. 
Hung  on  the  cursed  tree,  My  murder'd  Lord  I  view, 

And  groaii'd  away  a  dying  life,  I'll  raise  revenge  against  my  sins, 
For  thee,  my  soul*  for  thee.  And  slay  the  murd'rers  too. 


FEBRUARY  3.  S7 

Speak  thou  the  things  zchich   become  sound  doctrine.... 
Tit.  il.  1. 

"  Like  people,  like  priest,"  is  a  scripture  adage. ...IFos.  iv.  9. 
Professors  generally  catch  the  same  mind  of  the  minister  they  sit 
\inder.  Our  Lord  advises,  "take  heed  what  you  hear."... .Matt.  iv.  24. 
The  seeds  of  all  heresies  are  in  our  nature;  they  are  sooner  learned 
than  sound  doctrine  :  hence  Paul's  jealousy  of,  and  advice  to  Titus ; 
he  Mas  not  only  to  preach  sound  doctrine,  but  the  things  also  which 
become  it.  Sound  doctrine  is  to  be  highly  prized,  yet  it  is  not  to  l)e 
alone,  (iood  as  it  is  to  have  a  sound  judt^ment  in  the  doctrines  of 
grace,  yet  we  are  ever  to  consider,  they  are  all  according  to  and  pro- 
motive of  G0DI.INKSS.  They  are  all  of  a  practical  and  experimental 
nature:  productive  of  love  in  the  heart  and  holiness  in  the  life: 
many  err  here :  some  make  little  of  sound  doctrine :  they  cry  out, 
away  with  your  doctrines,  give  us  practical  holiness  ;  these  cast  con- 
tempt upon  the  word  of  truth,  and  impeach  the  wisdom  of  the  Spirit 
of  truth,  in  revealing  the  doctrines  of  the  grace  of  the  everlasting  co- 
venant ;  however  they  may  talk  of  Christ,  yet  they  lightly  esteem  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  him.  From  such  turn  away :  "  for  the  law  of  the 
Lord  is  perfect  converting  the  soul ;  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure 
making  wise  the  simple :  the  statutes  (or  doctrines)  of  the  Lord  arc 
right  rejoicing  the  heart:  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure 
enlightening  the  eyes,"  Sec... .Psalm  xix.  7,  8.  Again,  there  are 
others  who  think  and  speak  of  nothing  but  doctrines :  they  care 
nothing  about  the  things  which  become  sound  doctrines,  such  as 
a  self-denied  life,  a  holy  walk,  a  careful  abstaining  from  the  very 
appearance  of  eril,  living  in  the  exercise  of  spiritual  grace,  and 
in  the  discharge  of  every  christian  duty,  striving  to  "  adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things. "....Tit.  ii.  10.  Alas! 
it  is  common  to  see  such:  like  the  wild  ass  they  snuff  up  the  wind 
of  doctrine,  bray  it  over,  while  their  hearts  are  as  cold  and  dead  to 
spiritual  communion  with  Christ  and  the  life  and  power  of  godliness, 
as  the  world  which  licth  in  wickedness :  beware  of  such.  Chris- 
tianity is  life  as  well  as  truth ;  the  gospel  is  to  be  experienced  in  its 
power,  as  well  as  believed  in  its  word;  Christ  is  to  be  lived  upon  by 
faith  and  lived  to  by  love,  as  well  as  talked  of  with  the  tongue.  O, 
let  us  not  be  content  with  a  form  of  sound  words  in  our  heads;  but 
let  us  cry  earnestly  and  constantly  to  our  Lord,  for  the  life  and 
power  of  them  in  our  hearts  to  influence  our  lives ;  so  shall  we  from 
precious,  heart-felt  experience  joyfully  say,  "  truly  our  fellowship 
i-s  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ."....  1  John  i.  3. 


S3  FEBRUARY  i. 

He  tcilt  reprove  (or  convince)  the  zvorld  of  sin.... John, 
xvi.  8. 

Has  tlie  Spirit  so  convinced,  so  reproved  j'ou  of  sin,  of  the 
curse  of  the  law  for  sin,  of  the  wrath  of  God  revealed  against  all 
sin;  and  of  that  sin  of  sins,  unbelief,  that  whosoever  lives  and  dies 
in,  is  under  the  wrath  of  God;  so  that  you  have  fled  for  refuge  to 
Jesus,  and  have  taken  shelter  in  his  woimds  to  be  saved  from  all  sin? 
Then  you  are  blessed;  your  soul  is  safe;  your  salvation  is  sure  : 
the  Spirit  has  glorified  Christ  in  your  eyes  and  to  yourheai't;  and 
Christ  will  glorify  your  soul  with  him  in  his  own  kingdom.  Is  not 
the  Spirit  rightly  styled  the  comfortkr  ?  Did  he  not  act  the  part 
of  a  comforter,  even  in  convincing  of  sin?  What  if  your  heart  was 
broken  and  bled  for  sin,  yet  it  was  that  you  might  be  comforted  with 
the  love  and  made  joyful  in  the  salvation  of  Jcsus»  But  having  thus 
convinced  you  of  sin  and  brx>ught  you  to  Christ  for  salvation,  has 
tlie  Spirit  done  with  you  ?  Is  his  work  at  an  end  upon  you  ?  O,  no.^ 
"  He  is  promised  to  abide  with  us  for  ever."....John  xiv.  16.  He 
always  carries  on  the  same  work,  to  convince  of  sin :  he  is  always 
the  comfoiter,  to  testify  of  the  Saviour...rand  in  both  he  maintains 
the  character  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Why  da  little  thinga  pain  you  ? 
Sonje  to  keep  up  the  notion  of  sinless  perfection  call  them  things 
FOT  KXACTLY  RIGHT  ;  which  you  cannot,  dare  not  hut  look  on  as 
SINS  of  your  nature.  Why  do  you  see,  fqel  and  mourn  over  your- 
self as  a  lump  of  sin  ?  Why  arc  you  sensible  that  you  sin  in  thought, 
word  and  deed,  and  that  you  can  do  nothing  perfectly  ;  that  sin  is  in 
all  you  do,  and  that  wlien  you  would  do  good  evil  is  present  \  Why 
is  \i  that  you  hate  all  sin,  abhor  yourself,  and  humble  yourself  as  a 
poor  sinner  from  day  to  day  before  the  Lord?  Why  is  all  this,  but 
because  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  within  and  convinces  you  of  sin,  and 
cuts  off  all  hope  ii>  yourself  on  account  of  it?  But  docs  he  leave 
you  comfortless  ?  Though  he  teaches  you  to  sec  and  say,  what 
though  all  I  am  is  sin,  yet  you  can  add,  "  this  does  not  break  my 
peace."  No;  he  convinces  you  also  of  utoHTtousNtss  :  that 
Christ's  righteousness  is  yours,  and  that  he  is  your  peace.  Of 
judgment:  that  the  judgment  of  God  is  according  to  truth 
"  that  he  is  just,  and  the  justifier  of  the  ungodly  who  believe  in 
Jesus."....Rom.  iv.  5.. ..so  that  now  you  live  the  life  of  faith,  above 
the  power  of  sin.  Bless  the  eternal  Spirit,  O  my  souJ ;  for  I  can 
joyfully  sing, 

A  guilty,  weak  and  lielpleis  worm,      Thou  art  my  strength,  my  righteousness, 
Into  ihy  arms  I  fall,  ~    My  Jesus,  anil  my  all. 


FEBRUARY  5.  39 

He  zvho  is  zcashed,  necdctli  not  save  to  wash  his  feet,  hut  is 
clean  every  zvhit:  and  ye  are  clean. ...John  xm.  10. 

How  precious  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  I  Being  in  great  disorder 
of  body  and  heaviness  of  soul,  our  Lord  refreshed  and  comforted  me 
with  these  v.ords.  Here  Christ  most  plainly  teaches  us  these  bles- 
sed truths,  1st.  That  every  believer  is  washed  by  him  from  the  filth 
of  all  his  sins.  ?d.  That  each  and  every  one  are  equally  and  alike 
perfectly  clean  from  all  sin  in  God's  sight,  not  having  spot  or  wrinkle, 
or  any  such  thing....Eph.  v.  27.  Justified  fmm  all  things  before 
God....  Acts.  xiii.  39.  There  is  not  one  condemnation  against  them 
from  God.. ..Rom.  viil.  1.  Therefore,  3d.  They  need  no  other  clean- 
sing to  make  them  acceptable  to  God,  pure  in  his  sight,  mete  to 
come  into  his  presence  now  and  to  enjoy  him  to  all  eternity.  Rejoice, 
O  my  fellow  sinners,  and  then  too  my  soul,  in  a  lowly,  self-abasing, 
disciple- washing,  sin-cleansing  Jesus.  He  says,  (let  carnal  reason, 
legal  spirits,  and  lying  salan,  suggest  what  they  may),  clf.aic 
EVERY  whit:  ye  are  clean.  Blessed  Spirit,  who  broughtest  us 
into  this  precious  state ;  O,  cause  this  glorious  truth  to  shine  in  our 
hearts  this  night  in  all  its  glory  and  comfort:  eternal  thanks  to  thee 
for  faith  to  receive  it:  glory  to  the  Son  of  God  whose  precious  blood 
cleanseth  from  all  sin....l  John  i.  7.  But,  though  every  whit 
clean;  though  perfectly  cleansed  by  Christ;  yet  he  knows,  and  we 
find  that  we  are  daily  prone  to  defile  our  feet:  to  him  we  must  come 
for  cleansing  from  the  polhuion  of  our  daily  walk  and  conversation. 
Faith  has  daily  to  do  with  a  purifying  Saviour:  but  beware  that  we 
ascribe  not  that  cleansing  virtue  to  the  grace  of  faith  which  is  only 
in  the  blood  of  Christ.  See  what  blessed  news  Peter's  mistaken 
humility  in  refusing  Christ  to  wash  his  feet  brought  from  our  Lorti's 
lips  to  our  hearts.  View  the  love  of  a  gracious,  condescending  Lord. 
Did  he  stoop  so  low  as  to  wash  his  disciple 's  feet  ?  and  will  he  ever 
be  above  washing  the  fresh  contracted  guilt  of  his  dear  members 
who  come  unto  him?  No:  harbour  not  such  a  dishonoring  thought 
of  his  love:  he  knows,  he  tells  us  we  need  washing  of  our  feet  that 
we  may  walk  clean  and  comfortable  before  him.  O,  let  us  come 
humbly  to  him  and  rejoice  that  Christ  is  that  fountain  opened,  and 
that  his  precious  blood  has  a  continual  virtue  to  cleanse  from  all  sin 
and  uncleanness....Zech.  xiii,  I. 

The  fountain  of  Clirist  Tlus  fountain  from  guilt 

Assist  me  to  sing,  Not  only  makes  pure, 

'The  blood  of  our  priest.  And  gives  soon  as  felt 

Our  crucify  d  King:  Infallible  cure  : 

•  Which  peifectly  cleanses  But  if  guilt  venioved. 

From  sin  and  from  Hlih,  Return  and  remain, 

And  richly  dispenses  Its  pow'r  may  be  proved 

Salvation  and  health.  Again  and  again. 


40  FEBRL'ARV  6. 

Adorn  Ihc  docirinc  of  God  our  Saviuur  in  all  Ihings.... 
Tit.  ii.  10. 

What  pains  and  expcncc  arc  we  at  to  adorn  our  bodies,  vhiciv 
must  shortly  turn  to  ignoble  dust ;  and  our  dwellings,  which  must 
soon  be  burnt  up  with  lire?  and  shall  we  not  study  and  take  pains 
to  adorn  the  precious  doctrine  of  our  loving  God  and  Saviour  in  our 
lives?  Let  gay  cloathing  and  genteel  furniture  reprove  us  for,  and 
remind  us  of  this  duty.  Let  us  not  be  like  asses  with  long  ears  to 
hear  doctrines,  but  slow  of  feet  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  holiness. 
To  avoid  legality  let  us  not  run  into  licentiousness  :  this  awfully 
prevails  amongst  professors  in  our  day  :  they  incessantly  dwell  on 
doctrines  ;  but  if  you  aim  to  reduce  them  into  experience  and  prac- 
tice, they  cry  out,  O,  you  are  as  legal  as  an  Arminian.  This  is 
really  like  one  who  should  receive  food  into  his  mouth,  chew  it  for 
a  season,  and  then  spit  it  out  again  ;  but  as  it  passed  not  into  the 
stomach  to  be  digested,  the  body  is  not  nourished  by  it :  so  revolving 
doctrines  in  the  head,  rolling  them  upon  the  tongue  and  not  digest- 
ing them  in  the  heart,  leaves  the  soid  in  a  lean,  starving  condition 
from  day  to  day.  What  is  truth  in  the  head  without  fellowship 
with  Christ,  who  is  thk  tiu  th,  in  the  heart?  Christ  felt  and  enjoyed 
in  the  power  of  faith  and  the  fellowship  of  the  Spirit,  will  cause 
souls  to  study  to  adorn  his  doctrine  :  there  will  be  a  cry  in  such 
hearts,  O,  what  can  I  do  for  him  who  has  done  all  for  me,  and  is 
all  in  all  to  me  ?  It  is  the  essential  doctrine  of  Christ,  that  every 
believer  in  him  is  a  son  of  God  and  an  heir  of  glory  :  we  are  called 
to  enjoy  the  comfort  of  this  and  to  walk  agreeable  to  this  holy  faith 
in  all  things :  the  duty  is  ours  ;  the  power  is  of  God :  but  if  the 
love  of  the  world  reigns  in  our  hearts,  if  the  riches  of  the  world 
engross  our  time,  if  the  pleasures  of  the  world  possess  our  afi'cc- 
tions,  if  the  vanities  of  the  world  are  our  pursuits,  how  does  it  ap- 
pear that  we  are  the  children  of  God,  are  concerned  for  his  glory, 
that  we  strive  to  adorn  his  gospel  or  are  looking  to  him  for  power  to 
do  it  ?  No  wonder  if  the  frame  of  our  hearts,  the  temper  of  our 
minds,  and  the  conduct  of  our  lives,  instead  of  adorning  the  doc- 
trhic  of  Christ  bring  discredit  upon  it :  then  we  shall  live  in  doubt 
and  die  in  distress.  O,  remember  this  woid  of  the  Lord,  "  Them 
who  honor  nic,  I  will  honor,  and  ihcy  who  despise  me,  shall  be 
lightly  esteemed."....!  Sam.  ii.  30. 

l.rird  make  our  lips  and  lives  cxincss  Thus  shall  wc  best  procliiin  abroad, 

Tlif-  holy  gospel  we  profess;  The  honors  cf  our  Saviour  God: 

So  let  our  works  and  graces  shim*,  When  ihy  salvation  reigns  within. 

To  prove  the  doctrine  ail  divine.  And  grace  subdueithe  pow'rof  sin. 


FEBRUARY  r.  41 

Love  not  the  world.... \  John  ii.  15. 

There  is  one  word  too  much  in  this  text  to  make  it  at^reeable 
to  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  many  professors.  As  Pharoah  said  by 
the  locusts,  "Take  away  from  me  this  death  only."....Exod.  x.  18. 
So  many  may  say,  take  away  this  not  only,  for  it  is  death  to  us; 
then  we  shall  like  the  text,  and  most  passionately  obey  its  command, 
iovE  THE  WORLD.  Docs  it  uot  secni  by  the  conduct  of  too  many  as 
though  they  thus  read  the  text  ?  Now,  do  not  look  at  Mr.  Such-an- 
one.  Look  at  home.  See  if  you  are  not  the  very  person,  in  whom  | 
the  love  of  the  world  reigns.  Ydu  own  it.  But  instead  of  falling 
under  conviction  of  the  evil  of  it,  you  have  an  excuse  for  it.  You 
say,  "I  have  a  large  family;  I  ought  to  get  a  fortune  for  them; 
though  I  have  some  riches,  1  must  get  more  ;  I  must  love,  court, 
and  follow  the  ways  of  the  world  ;  there  is  nothing  to  be  done  with- 
out industry  ;  we  must  rise  early,  late  take  rest,  eat  the  bread  of 
carefulness,  and  be  all  day  long  in  pursuit  of  business."  Very  well  : 
this  is  open  and  honest :  the  very  language  of  the  world.  But  do 
you  not  see  gross  infidelity  stare  you  in  the  face  ?  It  is  plain  where 
your  treasure  is,  there  your  heart  is  also.  You  know  you  cannot, 
you  dare  not  say,  the  Lord  is  my  portion  :  what  is  there  upon  earth 
I  desire  besides  thee  I  Hear  the  apostle's  decision  and  treml)le  :  ''  If 
any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him  :"  two 
such  contrary  loves  cannot  dwell  in  one  heart.  It  matters  not  what 
profession  such  make  :  they  may  be  deemed  saints  of  God.  What  I 
without  the  love  of  God  in  their, hearts  ?  ^Vhat  other  idea  can  we 
form  of  a  devil,  but  that  he  is  destitute  of  the  love  of  God  ?  St. 
Jarries  says,  "a  friend  of  this  world  is  an  enemy  of  God. "....James 
iv.  4.  Well  might  St.  Paul  say,  "The  love  of  money  is  the  root 
of  all  evil;"  for  like  a  stinking  weed  it  chokes  the  love  of  God  in 
the  heart.  See  the  reason  of  this  exhortation,  love  not  the  world; 
examine,  whether  your  pursuits  are  most  earnest  after  the  world,  to 
get  more  riches,  or  to  enjoy  more  of  the  love  of  God  in  your  heart: 
consider  your  calling:  it  is  to  be  happy  in  the  love  of  God  in  Christ: 
but  the  love  of  the  world  opposes  this,  and  indisposes  for  this ;  there* 
fore  we  must  be  crucified  unto  the  world.  Hard  as  this  is  to  llesh  and 
blood,  yet  faith  in  Christ  makes  all  things  possible:  love  to  Christ 
makes  all  things  easy:  "This  is  the  victory  which  overcomcth  the 
world,  even  our  faith."....  1  John.  v.  4.  "The  love  of  Christ  con- 
straineth  us."....2  Cor.  v.  14. 

Thy  wondrous  blood,  deardyinc^  Christ,  O,  might  I  now  mount  up  and  see 
Can  make  this  world  of  sin  remove,      The  glories  ot"  th'  eternal  skies,      [be, 
Andthou  canst  bear  me  where  thou  fly 'st  What  little  things  these  worlds  >vo»ild 
.On  thy  kind  wings,  celestial  dove.  How  despicable  to  my  eyes. 

Vol.  II.  F 


42  FEBRUARY  s. 

A  certain  man  icent  down  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho,  and 
fell  among  thieves,  &!c....Liike  x.  30. 

An  awful  down-hill  journey  !  Here  is  a  true  picture  of  the  woe- 
ful backsliding  of  a  believer  from  his  Lord.  1st.  "He  went  down 
from  Jerusalem,"  which  signifies  the  visions  of  peace:  these  are 
enjoyed  by  faith,  in  communion  with  Christ  and  close  walking  with 
God :  when  these  arc  departed  from,  it  is  going  down  indeed ;  the 
Avay  of  sin  is  down  hill ;  the  descent  is  easy  ;  the  event  dreadful :  it 
is  going  down  fiom  the  delectable  mountains  into  the  dreary  vale 
of  Jericho;  this  place  Avas  cursed  by  Joshua.. ..vi.  26.  It  was  very 
wicked  in  the  days  of  Christ,  so  is  this  present  world  now.  2d. 
"  He  fell  among  thieves,"  so  does  the  believer  when  he  gives  up 
himself  to  sinful  company,  vain  delights  and  carnal  diversions :  the 
Kist  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,  steal  his 
heart  from  God  and  strip  him  of  his  raiment  of  purity  and  peace. 
3d.  "  They  wounded  him  :"  O  the  dreadful  stabs  which  sin  and  apos- 
lacy  give  to  the  believer's  heart  and  conscience !  4th.  "  Departed  from 
him:"  having  robbed  the  believer  of  his  comfort  in  God,  now  the 
sense  of  carnal  joys  also  forsake  him;  he  cannot  find  those  mighty 
pleasures  in  sin  v.hich  it  promised  him.  5th.  "Leaving  him  half 
dead:"  not  totally  dead  to  God,  nor  wholly  alive  to  sin;  he  can  be 
happy  in  neither:  awful  state!  But  there  is  still  a  spark  of  spiritual 
life  in  his  soul:  this,  all  the  devils  in  hell  nor  all  the  men  on  earth 
can  never  quench.  But  now,  O  what  misery  he  feels!  What 
wounds,  pains,  and  griefs  he  groans  under  ?  What  loss  does  he  de- 
plore ?  6th.  "The  priest  and  the  Levite  pass  by  on  the  other  side:" 
the  law  can  neither  ease  nor  cure  him  :  it  curses,  condemns  and  leaves 
him :  but  lastly,  who  is  he  that  says,  "  I  will  heal  their  backslidings, 
and  love  them  freely  ?".... Hos.  xiv.  4.  O,  it  is  the  good  Samaritan; 
ihe  precious,  ever  loving  friend  of  sinners.  He  came  where  he  Avas ; 
he  saw  him  and  had  compassion  on  him;  he  bound  up  his  wounds, 
pouring  in  the  oil  of  his  precious  grace  and  the  wine  of  his  heavenly 
love,  and  took  care  of  him.  O  my  soul,  dread  the  danger  of  such 
a  journey  :  highly  esteem  the  visions  of  peace;  remember  Jericho; 
forget  not  the  snares  of  this  wicked  world ;  beware  of  thieves ;  ne- 
ver, never  forget  the  compassion  of  the  good  Samaritan;  bless  him 
for  his  sympathizing  heart:  he  is  "touched  with  a  feeling  of  our 
infirnnlies."....Heb.  iv.  15. 

Sin's  promis'd  joys  aie  turn'd  to  pain,  Wretch  that  I  am  to  wander  thus 
And  I  am  drown'd  in  grief,  In  chase  of  false  delight! 

But  my  dear  Lord  returns  again,  Let  me  be  fasten'd  to  thy  cross, 

He  Hies  to  my  relief.  And  never  lose  thy  sight. 


FEBRUARY  9.  43 

Come  710Z0,  and  let  tis  reason  together,  saith  the  Lord : 
though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as  white  as 
snoiv,  though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall  be  as 
wooL...Isa.  i.  18. 

Whenkver  our  Lord  denounces  his  judgments  against  harden- 
ed and  impenitent  sinners,  we  are  sure  to  find  a  word  of  grace  from 
his  precious  lips  to  his  dear  trembling  saints  ;  his  loving  heart  knew 
that  what  threatenings  he  had  been  declaring  against  others,  his  peo- 
ple would  take  to  themselves,  reason  their  hearts  into  dejection  and 
sorrow,  and  cast  away  their  hopes  and  their  comforts  ;  therefore,  as 
frequently  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  he  turned  aside  to  his  disciples 
and  said,  come  now,  let  not  trouble  arise  in  your  hearts,  let  not 
terror  and  dread  seize  on  your  spirits  one  moment;  so  here,  let  us 
REASON  TOGETHER.  Do  uot  rcasou  wjth  flesh  and  blood,  with  your 
carnal  notions  and  your  legal  hearts  :  confer  not  Avith  satun  who  is 
your  enemy  and  accuser  ;  but  reason  with  me  :  I  am  just.  Do  you 
say  then  I  must  perish  in  my  sins  ?  No  :  "  I  am  just,  and  the  justi- 
fier  of  him  who  believeth  in  Jesus. "....Rom.  iii.  26.  "  I  am  just  to 
forgive  thee  thy  sins."....  1  John  i.  9.  Reason  with  me  upon  the  purity 
and  spirituality  of  my  law.  Dost  thou  say  it  pronounces  thee  cursed 
for  not  continuing  in  all  things  written  therein  ?  True,  but  my  law 
has  been  magnified  and  made  honorable  by  my  Son's  perfect,  unspot- 
ted obedience  ;  therefore  I  pronounce  thee  blessed  in  him:  because 
I  impute  his  perfect  righteousness  to  thee.  Come  and  reason  with 
me  at  my  throne  of  grace;  plead  thy  sins;  aggravate  them  to  the 
most  enormous  size  ;  multiply  them  to  the  greatest  niiml)er  as  sands 
by  the  sea  side;  paint  them  in  the  deepest  hue  as  scarlet  and 
crimson:  blood  divine  changes  their  colour  to  the  most  perfect 
whiteness,  even  as  snow  and  wool  ;  not  the  least  stain  shall  remain  ; 
not  the  least  spot  shall  be  seen:  "his  blood  elcanseth  from  all 
sin."....  1  John  i.  7.  Thou  art  all  fair,  all  pure,  without  spot  or 
wrinkle,  or  any  such  thbig  in  my  sight:  all  the  guilt  of  thy  sins 
are  atoned:  all  taken  away  by  the  sacrifice  of  my  Sen:  they  are  all 
covered  from  my  sight  by  his  perfect  righteousness,  and  I  the  Lord 
pronounce  thee  blessed;  I  impute  no  sin  to  thee,  no  more  than  if 
thou  hadst  never  sinned.  O  my  soul,  here  is  reasoning:  thy  Lord 
would  have  thee  happy  and  holy,  and  full  of  love,  and  free  from  legal 
terrors  and  slavish  dread ;  therefore  he  thus  calls  on  thee  to  reason 
with  him.  True,  all  this  is  contrary  to  thy  carnal  reason ;  but  it  is 
the  truth  of  God,  who  says,  "I  am  pacified  towards  thee."....Ezek. 
xvi.  63. 

Lord,  daily  bring  my  reasoning  pow'rs  My  sins,  though  of.  the  deepest  dye. 
Into  subjection  to  thy  word,  Thou  say'st  their  colour  thou  wilt 

And  bless  my  soul  with  simple  faith,   O  let  me  find  thy  word  fulfill'd,  [change,. 
Which  evermore  doth  peace  afford.      Efect  this  work,  so  great,  so  strange. 


44  FEBRUARY  10. 

The  grace  of  God  that  brhigeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to 
all  men.... Tit.  ii.  II. 

Hkrk  are  three  blessed  and  glorious  trnflis:  tliey  demand  the 
constant  attention  of  our  minds;  they  tend  to  sink  into  the  deepest 
humihty  of  heart,  to  excite  tlie  greatest  joy  of  spirit,  and  to  inspire 
the  most  ardent  love  and  gratitude  of  soul.  1st.  Salvation:  this 
vas  the  council  of  heaven :  the  work  of  the  Son  of  God :  the  won- 
der of  angels:  the  envy  of  devilS)  and  the  glory  of  apostate,  rebel- 
lious sinners.—sinners  who  are  born  with  enmity  of  heart,  rebellion 
of  will,  and  hatred  of  affections  against  God,  and  who  have  mani- 
fested the  enmity  of  their  mind  by  wicked  works. ...the  rebellion  of 
their  will  by  taking  arms  against  the  Lord;  and  the  hatred  of  their 
affections  by  refusing  to  lay  them  down  and  submit  unto  him:  O, 
that  precious  word,  full  of  wonder,  grace  and  love,  "  God  commend- 
eth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that  while  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ 
died  for  us... .when  we  were  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by 
the  death  of  his  Son.".. ..Rom.  v.  8...  10.  This  is  a  salvation  worthy  a 
God  of  infinite  love  to  bestow:  here  is  a  Saviour  worthy  to  be 
received  Avith  all  readiness  of  mind,  to  be  embraced  with  the  most 
cordial  affection,  and  to  be  gloried  in  as  the  richest  blessing  by  lost, 
hopeless,  ruined  sinners.  For,  2d.  this  salvation  is  brought  to  us; 
the  news  of  it  is  sounded  in  our  ears;  the  report  of  it  is  daily  made 
to  us:  it  is  displayed  and  set  before  us  in  all  its  glory,  richness, 
freeness  and  fulness  in  the  gospel,  that  we  may  receive  it  and  enjoy 
the  comforts  of  it ;  take  it  as  our  own,  and  rejoice  in  the  salvation  of 
our  God.  3d.  It  is  brought  to  us  by  the  grace  of  God  which  hath 
appeared.  Where?  In  the  person  of  the  Son  of  his  love,  and  in  the 
gospel  of  his  grace:  there  the  grace  of  God  appears;  there  the 
salvation  of  Jehovah  shines  forth  and  is  made  manifest  to  all  men; 
to  all  sorts  of  men,  Jews  and  Gentiles.  Therefore  it  is  revealed, 
as  a  free  and  full  salvation,  worthy  of  all  acceptation :  free  from  all 
limitation  and  restriction.  Paul  speaks  of  "knowing  the  grace  of 
God  in  truth.".. ..Col.  i.  6.  This  is  done,  when  any  poor  sinner 
receives  and  believes  the  gospel:  it  then  becomes  the  power  of  (iod 
to  salvation  to  that  poor  sinner's  soul:  he  then  knows  the  free  favor 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus:  Christ  is  all  his  salvation  and  all  his  desire: 
that  dear  Spirit  who  hath  convinced  him  of  sin,  and  enlightened  him 
to  see  gospel  truths  and  gospel  grace,  will  comfort  him  by  them. 
Hath  the  grace  of  God  thus  appeared  to  thee  ?  Hath  it  brought  salva- 
tion to  thy  soul?  Dost  thou  believe  the  gospel?  Then  take  heed  of 
mixing  any  work  or  duty  of  thy  OAvn  with  thy  faith  and  hope  in  the 
grace  of  God  and  salvation  of  Jesus;  for  this  were  to  degrade  both 
and  bring  thy  soul  into  bondage  to  the  law  of  works. 


FEBRUARY  11.  45 

Teaching  1/.9,  thai  denying  ungodliness  and  xcorldli/  InsfSy 
tee  slumld  live  soberly y  righteously,  and  godly  in  thispre- 
sejil  xvorld....Tit.  ii.  12. 

"\Vk  read  in  Esdras  of  three  young  men  who  wroi^e  of  the 
strength  of  (lifferent  subjects.  The  1st.  chose  wine:  the  2d.  the 
ki\g:  the  3d.  women  and  truth.  He  fully  demonstrated,  that 
truth  is  superior  to  all  the  charms  of  women  and  the  power  of  a 
king:  "  As  for  truth  it  cndureth  and  is  always  strong,  it  liveth  and 
con(|iu'rcth  for  evermore;  and  all  the  people  shouted  and  said,  great 
is  tiuth  and  mighty  above  all  things."....!  Es.  iv.  38,  41.  Surely  so 
it  is  with  the  truth  of  (Jod's  gruce:  the  stoutest  rebels  have  been 
conquered  by  it ;  the  most  mighty  kings  have  fallen  victims  to  it : 
whom  it  conquers,  them  it  also  teaches:  when  it  has  brought  the 
heart  to  yit■k^  to  its  sovereign  power,  it  captivates  the  affections  by 
its  sweet  influence  and  regulates  the  life  by  its  salutary  rules.  There 
is  a  most  vile  spirit  gone  forth  and  prevails.  Out  of  a  zeal  for 
holiness  and  pretence  for  perfection,  the  doctrines  of  grace  are  ex- 
ploded, the  God  of  grace  is  blasphemed ;  and  in  order  that  men 
may  not  live  like  l)easts,  they  are  taught  the  pride  of  devils,  whicli 
consists  in  rejecting  and  belying  the  truths  of  God's  grace.  This 
teaches  us.  Who?  Us  who  bow  to  the  sovereignty  of  God,  sub- 
mit to  the  righteousness  of  his  Son,  and  accept  salvation  as  a  free 
gift  of  free  grace,  m  ithout  our  works  having  the  least  hand  in  pro- 
curing it,  or  entitling  to  it.  It  teaches  us  not  to  labor  in  the  fire  of 
nature's  zeal  to  establish  our  righteousness  before  God;  but  to  deny 
fill  ungodliness,  every  thing  which  is  contrary  to  God's  nature  and 
will,  and  worldly  lusts ;  seeing  no  happiness  in  indulging  them, 
seeking  no  comfort  from  gratifying  them:  we  deny  ourselves,  and 
deny  them,  as  contrary  to  our  holy  faith  and  heavenly  hope.  God's 
grace,  or  his  free  favor  and  unmerited  love  in  Christ,  teaches  us  to 
live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  ;  aiming  to  discharge  every  duty 
to  God,  our  neighbours  and  ourselves,  faithfully,  conscientiously 
and  perfectly;  but  not  to  be  made  righteous  hereby;  not  to  entitle 
ourselves  to  God's  favor,  but  to  glorify  God  who  hath  made  us 
righteous  in  his  Son  ;  and  to  honor  him  in  our  lives  who  has  recon- 
ciled us  to  himself  by  his  Son.  This  text,  like  a  two-edged  sword, 
cuts  both  ways  ;  it  cuts  down  the  vain  confidence  of  self-righteous 
Pharisees  ;  it  lops  oft'  the  unscriptural  hope  of  licentious  Antino- 
mians  ;  such  as  walk  after  their  own  lusts,  "  ungodly  men,  who 
turn  the  grace  of  God  into  lasciviousness."....Jude  iv.  Their  heads 
have  the  notion  of  truth  ;  while  their  hearts  are  strangers  to  the 
influence  of  grace  ;  "  from  sucli  turn  away."....2  Tim.  iii.  5. 


46  FEBRUARY   12. 

Behold,  if  the  Lord  icoitld  make  icindoxcs  in  heaven,  might 
ill  is  I  h  iiig  he  r ....  12  A'  ings  v  i  i .  '2. 

This  is  a  darin?];  reply  to  "  TTius  saith  the  Lord."  The  word 
of  the  Lord  promises  by  vast  plenty  instantly  to  relieve  his  people 
from  a  great  famine.  Doubtless,  with  a  witty  sneer,  this  great  peer 
of  the  earth  uttered  this  reply  to  Elisha,  as  though  he  had  said, 
*  Behold,  ye  people,  do  not  mind  what  this  mad  fellow  says,  use 
your  reason,  judge  of  the  nature  of  things  by  your  senses  :  do  you 
think  God  will  make  windows  in  heaven  to  pour  dovm  corn  for  you  ? 
There  is  no  other  possible  way  for  such  a  supply  as  Elisha  talks  of.' 
Thus  with  an  imperious  air  he  insults  the  prophet  and  exalts  his 
canial  reason  and  unbelief  against  the  Lord's  word  of  promise.  To- 
day he  prides  himself  in  his  wisdom:  to-morrov/  he  perishes,  and 
is  trod  under  ff>ot  as  an  unbelieving  fool.  Here  see  the  cursed  na- 
tiire  of  camal  reason  :  here  behold  the  dreadful  evil  of  rejecting 
the  word  of  the  Lord  by  unbelief.  Bevk'are  of  the  great,  the  noble 
and  the  wise  of  this  world  ;  not  many  of  them  are  called  :  those 
■who  are  not,  are  great  enemies  to  God's  grace  and  truth.  Look  not 
at  the  wisdom  of  the  wise,  and  the  judgment  of  the  great  of  this 
word  ;  they  are  fools  in  the  things  of  God:  "  God  hath  made  foolish 
the  Avisdom  of  this  world."....  1  Cor.  i.  20.  But,  my  fellow  sinners, 
^ee  we  not  somewhat  of  ourselves  in  the  judgment  of  this  lord  ?  O 
Jesu,  how  does  our  human  reason  and  unbelief  often  oppose  thy 
blessed  word  of  grace  ?  When  we  find  a  famine  in  our  souls,  Ave 
think  we  shall  perish  for  want  of  the  bread  of  life  ;  we  look  this 
way  and  that  for  hope  :  human  proliability  shuts  up  every  avenue  : 
still  we  have  "  thus  saith  the  Lord"  to  look  to  :  great  and  precious 
promises  to  trust  in.  Ah,  but  says  carnal  reason,  will  the  Lord 
fulfil  them  ?  No,  says  unbelief,  it  is  impossible.  What !  after  the 
Lord  himself  came  dov/n  from  heaven  to  seek  and  to  save  us;  after 
such  a  miracle  of  love  to  us,  can  we  doubt  of  his  care  for  us  ?  O, 
let  us  cry  to  the  Lord  to  enable  us  to  tratiiplc  this  man  of  sin,  this 
lord  of  unbelief  under  our  feet,  that  we  be  not  faithless,  but  be- 
lieving. AV'hat !  the  word  of  God :  Avhat  he  speaks  to  us  :  what 
he'  has  promised  to  bestow  on  us  ;  for  his  word  is  truth  :  "  he  that 
spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all,  how  shall  he 
not  vith  him  also  freely  give  us  all  things  ?".... Rom.  viii.  32. 

Come,  let  our  souls  address  the  Lord,   Come,  let  «is  hear  his  voice  to-day. 
Who  fram'd  our  nature  with  his  word;  The  councils  of  his  love  obey  ; 
He  is  our  shepherd,  we  his  sheep,         Nor  let  our  foolish  hearts  renew. 
His  mcicy  chose,  his  pastui«es  keep.      The  sins  and  plagues  that  Israel  knew. 


FEBRUARY   13.  47 

Have  salt  in  your sekts.... Mark  ix.  50. 

Salt  preserves  our  food  from  piitrifying  and  makes  it  satoury 
to  our  palate.  Job  asks,  "Can  that  -which  is  unsavoury  be  eaten 
without  salt?  or  is  there  any  taste  in  the  white  of  an  egg ?".... Job 
vi.  6.  What  salt  is  to  our  food,  that  the  doctrines  of  the  grace  of  God 
and  the  grace  of  these  doctrines  are  to  our  soul.  Why  could  not 
our  Lord  have  plainly  told  us  so  without  using  the  symbol  of  salt? 
He  loves  to  deliver  himself  in  familiar  images;  they  are  best  suited 
to  our  present  state  :  natural  things  sensibly  strike  us  and  easily 
convey  spiritual  truths  to  the  heart.  Our  tables  are  not  furnished 
if  salt  be  wanting:  meat  vritiiout  salt  is  unsavoury.  O  then  let 
every  meal  remind  us  of  our  Lord's  words,  "have  salt  in  your- 
selves:" you  have  daily  need  to  have  your  souls  seasoned  with  the^ 
<^-race  of  God,  and  the  words  of  Christ.  1st.  These  will  preserve 
our  hearts  from  receiving  and  being  putrified  by  the  seeds  of  false 
doctrine:  hearts  well  seasoned  with  the  salt  of  tlie  covenant  gracct 
will  not  receive  the  taint  of  human  error;  thus  we  shall  be  happy 
in  the  sense  of  truth  and  the  experience  of  grace  in  our  souls.  2d. 
We  shall  be  profitable  to  others :  if  our  own  souls  are  well  seasoned 
with  the  grace  of  Christ,  we  shall  be  savoury  to  others.  O,  how 
insipid  is  the  talk  of  the  lips  if  the  seasoning  of  grace  and  the 
savour  of  love  is  not  in  the  heart  1  Why  are  some  professors  so  back- 
ward to  speak  of  the  things  of  God  ?  Why  do  others  speak  of  them 
in  such  a  tasteless,  unsavoury  manner  ?  Alas  !  their  own  hearts  arc 
not  well  salted  and  seasoned  with  grace.  Notions  float  only  in  the 
head:  they  are  delivered  from  the  tongue:  the  heart  is  not  impreg- 
nated witli  the  salt  and  savour  of  them.  O  christian,  be  concerned 
for  the  glory  of  thy  Saviour,  for  the  comfort  of  thy  own  soul,  and 
for  the  good  of  others,  to  have  salt  in  thyself:  live  every  day,  pass 
away  every  hour  under  the  seasoning,  savoury  truths  of  Jesus.  3c!. 
Salt  is  obtained  from  the  sea  :  study,  strive  and  pray  to  obtain  more 
and  more  of  this  precious  salt  from  the  ocean  of  God's  everlasting 
love  in  Christ  Jesus.  4th.  "  With  all  thine  offerings  thou  shall  offer 
salt.".. ..Lev.  ii.  13.  O,  never  forget  that  it  is  the  grace  of  Christ 
which  makes  both  thy  person  and  thy  every  offering  acceptable  to 
God  ;  and  it  is  this  which  spreads  a  savour  through  thy  whole  con- 
versation :  thou  canst  not  be  unsavoury  vvliile  thoti  livest  upon  this 
truth,  ''  God  hath  made  mc  a  sinner,  accepted  in  his  beloved  Son.".... 
Eph^i.  6. 

Lord,  make  me  know,  and  taste,  and  So  shall  my  heart,  my  lip,  jtiA'  lite, 
.  The  savour  of  thy  heav'nly  love;  [feel,  Declare  the  seiis'ninjj.of  thy  grace: 
Unto  my  inmost  soul  reveal,  So  free  my  soul  from  legal  strife, 

A  foretaste  of  thy  joys  above.  To  walk  with  jay  before  thy  face.     M. 


4S  FEBRUARY   14. 

IVIiom  resist  siedfast  in  the  failh,  knoicivs^  that,  the  same 
ajjlictions  are  accowplisltcd  in  your  brethren,  that  are  in 
the  xe arid... A  Pet.  v.  9. 

I  HAD  no  sooner  wrote  this  text,  but  Avas  constrained  to  say, 
blessed  be  God  for  his  holy  scriptures.  My  poor  mind  has  been 
often  perplexed  and  distressed  with  sore  attacks  of  satan  ;  hence 
have  been  ready  to  call  in  question  my  state  ;  have  been  almost 
brought  to  conclude,  that  if  I  was  a  member  of  Christ  and  a  child 
of  God,  surely  he  would  not  sutler  the  enemy  to  his  glory  and  my 
peace  thus  to  tempt,  buttet,  and  distress  my  soul :  am  persuaded 
this  is  not  my  case  only  :  all  the  brethren  of  Christ  are  subject  to 
the  same  perplexity,  from  the  same  cause.  Satan  gains  an  advan- 
tage over  us,  for  want  of  knowing  and  considering  what  the  apostle 
ho-re  lays  down  :  it  is  a  iixed  truth  ;  all  the  brethren  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  are  subject  to  the  same  trials  and  aflllctions  from  satan,  one 
as  well  as  another:  therefore  we  should  not  be  surprised  nor  stag- 
gered by  them.  Instead  of  thinking  it  strange,  or  asking,  why  does 
t!ie  Lord  suffer  it  so  to  be  ?  Peter  tells  us  how  to  act :  satan  will 
attack  you  all  through  this  life  :  it  is  a  warfare  ;  therefore  be  on 
your  guard;  rksist  him  ;  give  back  Dot  an  inch  ;  give  way  not  a 
moment ;  indulge  not  the  least  sin  ;  resist  his  first  motion  of  tempta- 
tion ;  oppose  his  every  artful  device  ;  stand  against  his  every  subtle 
wile,  STEDkFAST,  undismayed  at  them,  undiumted  by  them,  however 
horrible  and  devilish  :  the  more  they  are  so,  the  more  easily  known 
fiom  whorii  they  come.  In  the  faith,  honor  your  Lord's  heavenly 
truths  ;  oppose  them  to  satan's  hellish  lies ;  bring  your  Lord's 
precious  promises  against  satan's  vile  suggestions  ;  stand  stedfast 
to,  thi\s  it  is  written  ;  thus  I  believe  ;  thus  I  will  honoi'  my  Lord's 
word.  Never,  never  let  go  that  faithful  saying,  "  Christ  Jesus  came 
into  the  world  to  save  sinners."  Cilory  in  this  ;  hold  up  this  as 
your  shield  against  all  the  fieiy  darts  of  the  devjl :  with  all  his  infer- 
nal injections  he  can  make  no  worse  of  you  than  a  sinner  ;  this 
you  own  ;  yea,  and  that  you  deserve  hell  and  danmation  too  for  your 
sins  :  but  in  the  faith  of  Jesus  you  are  a  saved,  justified,  pardoned 
sinner :  there  is  no  condemnation  against  you,  an  adopted  Son  of 
God.  Stand  fast  in  this  faith  ;  abide  stedfast  by  this  truth  ;  glory 
in  your  Lord  for  it  ;  give  him  the  glory  of  it ;  in  the  confidence  of 
it  "  resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  Ike  from  you. "....James  iv.  8. 

Brethren,  it  is  our  common  lot,  Stand  in  the  strength  of  Christ  thy 

Will*  s;i'an  to  cnj:;affe  ;  Aim'd  with  his  word  divine,   [Lord, 

Think  what  apuw'rful  I^oru  we've  got,  St^dlast  in  faith,  he'll  help  afiord  : 
ITeur  not  his  lie!!i;,h  rage.  Christ'^  yjctoiy  is  thine.  M. 


•l^£fiRUARY  15.  49 

His  name  shall  he  called  Counsellor.... Isa.  ix.  6. 

Litigious  spirits  are  fond  of  la^y.     Paul  absolutely  forbids  the 
brethren  of  Christ  going  to  law  one  with  another....  1  Cor.  vi.     Among 
other  reasons,  this  is  the  greatest ;  they  are  concerned  in  a  suit  which 
Avill  last  their  whole  lives,  and  which   requires  all  their  time   and 
attention.     Though   their  cause   has  been   tried  again  atid  a^in* 
though  they  have  gained  cause  after  cause;  yet_ their  adretsary  con- 
tinues as  litigious  as  ever:  he  is  continually  accusing  them  and  pre- 
ferring fresh  bills  of  indictment  against  them :   he  sets  the  world  upon 
us;   he  stirs  up  the  flesh  in  us;   he  brings  heinous  chafges  against 
us  ;  he  is  the  accuser  of  the  brethren  before  God  and  to  our  own  con- 
sciences night  and  day. ...Re v.  xii.  10.     Have  you  heard  nothing  from 
satan  your  adversary  and  accuser  this  day?  If  you  have  be  not  dejected: 
let  him  accuse,  say,  and  do  his  worst;  it  is  our  unspeakable  comfort, 
we   have  a  wonderful  counsellor;  he  pleads  our   cause  before  the 
throne  of  justice  above ;  he  pleads  v.ithin  us  in  the  court  of  conscience '. 
he  counsels  and  advises  Us  by  his  word  and  Spirit ;  his  true  and  righ- 
teous pleadings  for  us  shall  prevail  over  all  satan's  accusations  against 
us.     Would  you  wish  your  cause  in  better  hands  ?  Never  attempt  to 
take  it  out  of  his:   cootinually  consult  him:   leave  all  to  him:   for, 
consider,     1st.    Jesus  in  the  eternal  council  voluntarily,  unsought 
and  unasked,  stood  forth  and  engaged  to  be  our  counsellor;  like  a 
generous  counsellor  in  a  court,  seeing  the  poverty  of  an  arraigned  pri- 
soner ;  freely,  without  money  or  price,  undertakes  to  plead  his  cause. 
O  wonderful  love  I   O  kind  compassion  !    2d.  He  is  a  wonderful 
counsellor :  for  though  law  and  justice  condemn,  yet  he  obtains  an 
acquittal  in  court  for  all  his  clients.     Most  wonderful  in  his  plea. 
Not  our  innocence,  sincerity,  goodness,   &c.  no  ;   he  owns  our  guilt 
and  vileness  ;  he  pleads  his  own  work  for  us  ;  the  blood  he  shed  for 
our  sins  ;  his  obedience  unto  the  law  for  our  justification  ;  and   his 
sufferings  for  our  salvation.     Justice  says  I  am  satisfied,  I  forgive 
them.     Truth  records  the  sentence.     Mercy  declares,  I  will  save 
them.    3d.  O  wonderful  counsellor  !  It  is  sinners,  none  but  sinners 
thou  pleadest  for :   for  this  my  soul  loves  thee  i   God  be  merciful  to 
me  a  sinner  !  This  is  ever  my  plea.     I  take  it  up.     Lord  shew  me 
from  law  and  justice  that  thou  art  just,  whilst  thou  justifies  the  un- 
godly.     Desperate  as  my  case  is,  may  I  ever  flee  to  thee,  and 
ever  consult  thee  ;  "Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life. "....John 
vi.  68. 

Jesus  is  our  God  and  Saviour,  Trust  him,  he  will  not  deceive  us, 

Guide,  counsellor,  and  friend,  Though  we  hardly  deem  of  him  t      ^ 

Bearing  all  our  misbehaviour,  He  will  never,  never  leave  us,  ^jk 

Kind  and  loving^  to  the  end-  Nor  will  let  us  <^uits  leave  him. 

Vol.  IL  G 


&0  rEHIiUARY    16. 

Men  ought  ulwap-  to  pray  and  not  to  faint....  Liikt  xviii,  1, 

Then  there  can  be  no  room  for  despair;  for  prayer  exports 
vants  and   imports  blessings:  but  our  dear  Lord  knows  there  is  in 
us  all  at  times  a  backwardness  to  prayer;  this  he  "^^ould  remove  :  it 
arises  from  fuintins^i  this   he  would  prevent ;   therefore  he  opposes 
praying  to  fainting,  for  fainting  prevents  praying.     Have  you  not 
found  it  so  ?   When  weary  and  faint  in  your  mind,  when  your  spirits 
are  oppressed,  your  frame  low  and  languid,  you  have  thought  this  is 
not  a  time  for  prayer  :   yea,  but  it  is  :  pray  always.     Now  sigh  out 
the  burden  of  your  heart  and  the  sorrows  of  your  spirit :   now,  though 
in  broken  accents,  breathe  your  complaints  into  your  Father's  ear.: 
now  cry  to  him  who  loveth  you  and  carcth  for  you  with  the  love  and 
care  of  the  most  tender  and  affectionate  father.     What  makes  us 
faint  ?    Do  troubles    and  afflictions  ?    Here  is  a  reviving  cordial : 
"  Cull  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble,  I  will  deliver  thee,  aJid  thou 
shalt  glorify  me.".. .. Psalm  1.  15.     Does  a  body  of  sin  and  death? 
Here  is  a  supporting  promise :  '<  Whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name 
•of  the  Lord  Jesus,  shall  be  saved."....Rom.  x.  13.     Do  we  faint  be- 
cause we  have  called  and  prayed  again  and  again  to  the  Lord  against 
any  besetting  sin,  prevailing  temptation,  rebellious  lust,  or  evil  tcm- 
|)er,  and  yet  the  Lord  has  not  given  victory  over  it  ?  Still,  says  the 
Lord,  pray  always:  persevere;  be  importunate;  faint  not;  reniem- 
ber  that  blessed  word,  "my  time  is  not  yet  come  :  but  your  time  is 
always  ready. "....John  vii.  6.     '•  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter  not 
into  temptation. "....Matt.  xxvi.  41.    Note  the  difference  between  be- 
ing tempted  and  entering  into  temptation.     Wc  are  assured  in  due 
time,  Tve  shall  reap,  if  we  faiiit  not.. ..Gal.  vi.  9.     Do  wc  find  the 
•  spirit  willing,    but  the  flesh   weak  ?  and  because  of  our  coldness, 
deadness,  and  langourin  prayer,  do  we  faint?  You  cannot  pray  to 
please  yourself:  you  think  your  prayers  are  irksome  to  God;  and 
therefore  do  you  faint  and  are  ready  to  give  over  praying  ?  Look  at 
^David;  he  begins  to  pray  in  a  very  heartless,  hopeless  ■way.  .  How 
long  wilt  thou  forget  me,  O  Lord,  for  ever,  £ic.    See  how  he  con- 
cludes ;  he  breaks  oui  in  full  vigour  of  soul  ;  "  I  will  sing  unto  the 
Lord,  because   he  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  me."....l'8alm  xiii.  6, 
Alx)ve  all,  look  to  Jesus,  who  ever  lives  to  pray  for  you  :  look  for  his 
Spirit  to  help  your  infirmities.. ..Rom.  viii.  26. 

[you  faint  t 
Pray'r  is  the  work  of  strongest  saints,  Always  pray. ...soul,  why  should  [ness; 
Of  miseral)le  sinners  too:  Know  I'm  thy  strength  and  righteous- 

Whene'er  our  feeble  spirit  faints.  Come  to  my  throne,  tell  me  thy  want. 

Mind  what  our  Saviour  bids  us  do.       With  love  and  peace  I'll  surel\  bless.  M. 


Now  ahideth  faith,  hope  andMiarity....\  Cor.  xiii.  13. 


dMiari{ 

jidt  ?  In 


Whbrs  do  these  gfaces  abitfb  ?  In  regenerate  hearts.  What 
»  faith  ?  A  precious  grace :  the  gift  of  God  to  niistriible  sinners. 
Lord  give  us  the  comfort  of  it  to-night.  Say  some,  faith  is  an  as- 
surance that  WY  sins  arc  pardoned  ;  that  Christ  loved  mu  and  gave 
himself  for  me  :  indeed  it  is  not.  No  one  has  faith  without  this 
assurance  ;  if  they  have  it  not  they  are  in  a  state  of  -wrath,  say 
some:  this  is  false.  This  notion  has  blown  up  many  with  vain  fancy, 
while  it  has  distressed  sincere  souls  without  reason.  Many  who 
contend  for  this  assurance  of  faith,  believe  a  lie  with  it ;  for  they 
say,  those  whom  Christ  hath  so  loved  as  to  die  for,  and  whose  sins 
are  now  forgiven,  may  at  last  perish :  such  an  assurance  is  not  Avorth 
a  straw :  this  is  not  the  faith  of  God's  elect ;  for  it  gives  the  lie  to 
Jesus,  who  is  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith  :  it  contradicts  his 
double  oath,  "  vkrily  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  he  that  belreveth 
on  me  hath  everlasting  life.".. ..John  vi.  47.  Leave  the  vain  notions 
of  such;  look  into  the  word  of  God  for  the  true  nature  of  fiuth  :  it 
is  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  belief  of  (iod's  M'ord  ;  giving  credit  to 
God  for  what  he  S])eaks  therein ;  "  believing  on  his  Son  Jesus  Christ 
according  to  his  commandment."....  1  John  iii.  2o.  Dost  thou  believe 
thus  in  thine  heart  ?  Then  faith  aliides  there.  Consider,  there  i» 
faith,  and  "the  furtherance  ami  joy  of  faith. "....Phil.  i.  2.5.  If 
you  have  faith,  though  but  as  a  grain  of  mustard-seed,  you  will 
SF.K  Christ  is  precious  to  you  a  miserable  sinner  ;  you  will  RFcRrvK 
him  as  the  most  inestimable  gift  of  God,  to  save  you  a  lost  sinner ; 
you  will  GO  to  him,  as  the  one  object  of  your  hope,  arid  the  chief 
desire  of  your  soul;  you  will  rei.y  oi>  his  death,  as  the  only  atone- 
ment for  your  sins,  ami  trust  in  his  rit-hti-ousness  alone  to  justify 
you  ;  you  will  lay  hold  on  him,  as  the  only  refiige  for  your  gtiilty 
soul ;  you  will  live  tipov  him,  that  you  may  find  joy  and  peace  in 
him,  and  grow  up  into  him  in  all  thinf^s  ;  you  will  glory  of,  and  in 
him  alone,  saying,  "  God  forWd  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of 
our  Lord  Jesus,"... .(ial.  vi.  14.  Hence  you  will  gi*ow  out  of  conceit 
with  yourself,  dead  to  sin,  dead  to  your  own  righteousness,  jmd'; 
dead  to  the  world.  This,  this  is  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God, 
which  lives  ancl  al»des  in  new-born  souls  :  "  In  thus  believing,  we 
may  be  fully  assured,  CJoci  win  iill  ns  with  all  joy  and  peace."..... 
Rom.  XV.  13. 

Fattier,  I  bless  thee'  for  tlie  j^ft  Let  precious  Caith  in  Clmst  abi(!<,. 

Of  Chrisf,  rh>»  pn?cronS  Son  :  AVitTi  all  its  fife  and  pow'r, 

Spirit,  in  praise  my  30ur  1  Hfr,  To  cJeave  to  Christ,  whatc'er  bet1d<< 

Tor  faith',  my  I.ord  to  own.  Me,  in  the  darkest  hour-  54. 


53  FEBRUARY  18. 

Noiv  ahideth  hope... A  Cor.  xiii.  13. 

Gospel  faith  and  christian  hope  are  twin  graces  in  the  heart ; 
they  are  inseparable.  Faith  exists  not  without  liope  :  hope  has,  na 
being  without  faith.  Such  as  a  man's  faith  is,  such  is  his  hope : 
tliey  both  flow  from  God's  word,  as  light  and  heat  from  the  sun. 
Take  away  a  word  spoken,  and  faith  has  no  being.  Without  a  pro- 
mise made,  hope  has  no  existence.  Faith  receives  and  takes  pos^ 
session  of  Christ,  as  set  forth  in  the  word.  Hope  expects  all  pro- 
mised blessings,  comforts  and  joys  in  him,  with  him,  and  from  him, 
according  to  the  word  ;  "  the  word  of  God  liveth  and  abideth  foi« 
ever."....  I  Pet.  i.  33.  Jesus  who  is  the  essential  word,  "  is  our  hope." 
....1  Tim.  i.  !.  He  is  the  cause  of  our  hope,  the  object  of  our  hope, 
and  the  life  of  our  hope.  Therefore  our  hope  abideth  :  yea,  though 
all  in  nature  fails,  all  in  sense  forsakes  us,  and  all  as  to  outward 
appearances  are  against  us;  though  satan  raises  storms  and  tempests  j 
though  corruptions  rage  and  foam,  and  lift  up  their  boisterous  waves ; 
though  like  Paul  we  are  in  the  great  deep,  and  see  neither  sun> 
moon,  nor  stars  for  a  season,  yet  hope  abideth  :  for  Jesus  the  object 
of  hope  lives.  The  grace  of  hope  cannot  perish :  it  is  an  anchor 
to  the  soul :  it  keeps  it  sure  and  steady :  why  ?  Because  it  is  not 
cast  within  us,  but  without  us  :  what  a  foolish  mariner  would  he  be, 
who  should  think  his  vessel  would  ride  safe  and  steady  against  wind 
and  tide  because  he  had  an  anchor  on  board  ?  Just  as  foolish  are 
those  professors  who  cast  the  anchor  of  hope  within  themselves, 
on  their  own  graces,  inherent  righteousness  as  it  is  called,  Sec.  Why, 
as  the  sea  phrase  is,  the  anchor  will  come  home  ;  it  will  not  hold 
the  vessel ;  there  is  no  ground  for  it  to  fasten  in  :  but  the  chris- 
tian's hope,  "  entereth  into  that  within  the  vail."....Heb.  vi,  19.  Into 
heaven  itself ;  it  fixes  and  fastens  upon  Jesus,  who  has  entered  into 
heaven  for  us.  As  by  faith  we  receive  the  atonement  of  Christ 
for  our  sins,  and  trust  in  his  righteousness  for  our  justification,  so 
hope  looks  for  and  expects  the  heart-reviving,  soul-sanctifying 
comforts  of  this  from  the  Holy  Spirit  in  time,  and  all  the  glory  and 
blessedness  which  Jesus  hath  by  his  life  and  de^h  obtained  for  us 
in  an  endless  eternity.  Faith  has  to  do  with  things  invisible  to  sense. 
God's  truth  is  the  foundation  of  faith  ;  faith  keeps  hope  in  lively  ex- 
ercise, "  looking  for  that  blessed  hope  and  glorious  appearing  of  the 
great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.".. ..Tit.  ii,  13. 

Thy  word,  O  God,  begot  my  faith.  Thy  word  is  truth,  thy  promise  sure. 
From  thence  my  hope  doth  spring  :         Hence  faith  and  hope  abide  : 

Founded  alone  on  what  God  saith,  My  soul  in  safety  shall  endure, 
A^jr  soul  adore  and  sing.  Nought  can  from  Christ  divide.    M. 


FEBRUARY   19.  S3 

JV/ten  the  poor  and  needy  seek  ivater,  and  there  is  none, 
and  their  tongue  fuileth  for  thirsty  I  the  Lord  xvill  hear 
theniy  I  the  God  of  Israel  ivill  not  forsake  them....Isa. 
xli.  17. 

It  is  common  to  hear  people  say,  'such  an  one  is  a  great  be- 
liever.' What  idea  strikes  one's  mind  of  such  a  person?  Are  we 
not  apt  to  think  he  is  very  rich  in  himself,  having  a  vast  stock  of 
inherent  righteousness  ?  This  is  wrong:  he  is  just  the  reverse:  he 
is  one  who  knows  himself  to  be  poor  and  needy:  his  great  faith 
leads  him  out  of  himself  to  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour,  to  receive 
out  of  his  fulness  grace  upon  grace :  he  confesses  I  am  a  poor  and 
needy  sinner,  living  upon  the  imsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  The 
sight  of  our  poverty,  and  sense  of  our  need,  the  holy  Spirit  keeps 
ap  in  our  minds  all  through  life;  this  make?  Christ  and  his  riches 
of  grace  precious  to  us:  some  say  such  an  one  is  only  a  seeker  of 
the  Lord  :  that  is  just  what  Cod"s  children  are  all  their  days:  "they 
are  poor  and  needy,  and  they  seek  water:"  their  souls  are  athirst; 
*' and  there  is  none;"  they  can  find  no  water  of  consolation  in  the 
whole  world;  they  have  no  spring  of  comfort  in  themselves;  they 
can  draw  none  from  their  own  righteousness;  "  their  tongue  fails  for 
thij7st;"  the  sin  of  their  nature  like  a  scorching  fever  burns  in 
them:  this  the  hardened  in  sin  and  the  self-righteous  feel  not:  re- 
generate souls  do;  they  thirst  after  the  cooling  streams  of  Christ's 
grace  and  salvation  to  refresh  them;  their  tongue  fails  in  uttering  a 
word  of  their  own  works  and  faithfulness,  &c.  All  their  cry  is 
about  their  poverty  and  need,  and  thirst  after  Jesus.  Well  says  he, 
"I  the  Lord  will  hear  them;"  yea,  and  answer  them  too:  *'if  any 
man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink.".. ..John  vii.  37.  Well 
but  I  have  been  this  poor  needy,  thirsty  creature  ever  since  the  Lord 
first  convinced  me  of  sin  and  brought  me  to  Christ  for  salvation.  I 
hear  others  talk  of  their  riches,  goodness,  perfection,  &c.  Let  them 
talk  on :  bless  the  Spirit  for  what  you  are ;  expect  to  be  poor  and 
needy  all  your  days;  rejoice  at  what  the  Lord  says,  "I- will  not 
forsake  them."  Who  ?  Poor  needy,  thirsty  souls :  such  are  the  work 
of  his  Spirit,  the  glory  of  his  Son,  and  the  delight  of  the  Father's 
fioul.  Christ  upbraids  those  who  say,  "they  are  rich  and  increased 
in  goods,"  8cc....Rev.  iii.  17.  "  lie  fills  the  hungry  with  good  things, 
the  rich  he  sends  empty  away. "....Luke.  i.  53.  For  Jesus  says  of 
all  his  people,  "  I  know  thy  poverty,  but  thou  art  rich  ?"....Rev.  ii.  9, 
Poor  in  themselves :  rich  in  him. 


54  FEBRUAKY  23. 

God  hath  put  a  nezv  sovg  in  my  mouth.... Psalm  xl.  3. 

Some  sinjj  when  they  have  cause  to  be  sad:  others  are  sad  when 
they  have  reason  to  sint^  and  rejoice:  some  go  on  merrily  to  hell; 
others  go  on  sorrowing  to  heaven.  When  the  grace  of  Jesus  is  in 
the  heart,  a  new  song  is  put  into  the  mouth  :  this  is  a  song  of  new 
covenant  love;  this  we  are  lo  sing  all  our  days  on  earth  and  for  ever 
and  ever  in  glory.  In  passing  the  streets,  we  meet  Avith  many 
occun-ences  MhJch  remind  us  of  our  beloved:  it  is  sweet  to  spiri- 
t\ialize  carnal  things.  I  was  much  delighted  w  ith  a  carnal  song 
which  concludes  thus: 

All  th^  time  is  thrown  away, 

Bur  what  issj)ent  in  love. 

I  thought  this  was  very  true  of  the  love  of  our  Saviour.  This  psalm 
is  applictl  to  CUirist  in  his  manhood  state.... Heb.  x.  A  new  song  was 
put  in  his  mouth  on  our  accouBts:  he  says,  "many  shall  see  it  and 
fear  and  trust  in  the  Lord."  See  hence  our  spiritual  joy  springs 
from  seeing  Christ's  work  in  our  salvation,  knowing  the  experience 
he  had  of  his  Father's  upholding  power  as  man  and  mediator;  and 
beholding  his  triumph  over  all  his  enemies  and  ours:  look  at  this, 
yea  look  and  look  again  till  you  can  say,  O  Jesu,  my  whole  soul 
loves  thee  ;  for  hadst  thou  miscarried  in  thy  work,  my  soul  had  been 
irrecoverably  lost  for  ever:  but  now  thou  hast  finished  thy  Father's 
work  and  my  salvation,  I  ani  saved  forever:  I  see  it;  I  trust  in  the 
Lord:  and  having  this  confidence  in  my  heart,  this  song  is  put  into 
nav  mouth:  "■Salvation  to  our  God  which  sitteth  upon  tlie  throne, 
zknd  unto  the  Lamb.". ...Rev.  vii.  10.  Now  I  can  adopt  my  Saviour's 
-words,  "  Thou  hast  brought  me  up  from  an  horrible  pit  out  of  miry 
day,  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock  and  established  my  goings;"  therefore, 
»'  I  will  sing  imlo  the  Lori>  as  long  as  I  live:  I  will  sing  praise  unto 
mv  God  while  I  have  my  being. "....Psalm  eiv.  33.  I  charge  thee, 
O  my  soul,  never,  never  forget  the  horrors  of  dread,  the  terroi-s.  of 
fear,  the  agonies  of  pain,  and  conflicts  of  sufterings  thy  Lord  endur- 
ed from  men  and  devils,  and  from  his  Father's  fiery  wrath  and  inex- 
orable justice  for  thy  sins  aird  thy  salvation.  O,  sing  of  his  mighty 
conquests!  rejoice  for  his  glorious  triumphs  over  aE  the  powers  of 
sin,  xlcath  and  hell.  Well  might  the  apostle  exhort  lielievcrs  thtus: 
"Speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms  and  hymns  ami  spiritual  sorvgs, 
singing  and  making  melody  in  your  hearts  to  die  LouD."....Kplv. 
v.  19.  "The  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall  return  and  cometoZion 
with  songs:  they  shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and 
sighing  shall  flee  away."....Isa.  xxxv.  10. 

Old  songs  of  vain  and  carnal  mirili,  Tlitni  loying  Spirit,  thee  1  j)raise, 
No  more  delight  my  heart ;  For  grace,  ol  Christ  to  sing; 

New  songs  of  Jesu's  lite  and  love,  lie  is  my  joy,  my  righieoubncss, 
Spread  joy  through  ev'ry  part.  My  Saviour  and  my  King.         M. 


FEBRUARY  2>.  is 

O  Lord  thou  hast  ikceivtd  7?i(f,  and  I  uas  deceived,  thou 
art  stronger  than  /,  a/id  hast  p?-evaded,  I  am  in  derision 
daili/,  and  every  one  mockcth  vie....Jer.  xx.  7. 

A  POOH  deluded  perfectionist  lately  made  a  great  noise  in  Lon- 
don ;  he  blasphemously  pretended  to  be  p.s  holy  as  Ciod  himself,  to  have 
revelations  from  him,  and  peremptorily  fixed  upon  a  day  when  the 
world  was  to  be  destroyed:   he  deceived  many  and  alarmed  more: 
but  time  proved  how  awfully  he  hatl  been  deceived  himself;  and  now 
what  is  most  awful,  he  has  cast  off  all  sense   of  relii^ion,  ridicule* 
It,  chartjes  all  his  delusion  upon  God,  and  quotes  these   very  words 
of  Jeremiah  to  prove  that  God  had  deceived  lilni.     One  would  not 
mention  this   by  way   of  reflection  or  triumph  over  this  unhappy 
man,  but  as  a  caution  against  this  mad,  wild-fire  notion  of  sinless 
perfection  which  so  spreads  among  us.     But  did  God  really  deceive 
Jeremiah?  Can  we  suppose  he  charges  God  with  iir  The  very  thought 
is  daring  and  impious.     After  giving  several  senses  upon  the  words, 
the  learned  Dr.  Gill  very  judiciously  says,  it  is  best  of  all  to  trans- 
late them  as  they  will  bear:   "O  Lord,  thou  hast  persuaded  me, 
and  I   was   persuaded."     This  sense  he  takes  fiom  Luther  and 
Others.     The  prophet  did  not  run  before  he  was  sent,  but  was  called, 
and  effectually  convinced  of  his  mission  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit: 
just  so  is  every  believer.     1st.  Divinely  called  and  eflectually  per- 
suaded to  come  to  Christ  and  be  his  disciple.     Christian,  consider, 
do  not  you  see  somewhat   here  suited  lo  your  own  case?   Was  not 
God  stronger  than  you,  and  therefore  prevailed?   Will  not  you  fall 
•  down  to-night  at  the  feet  of  sovereign   grace  and  own  its  effectual 
power,  and  give  the  Lord  of  all  grace  all  the  glory  from  your  whole 
heart?     2d.  Are  you  like   Jeremiah  got   into  a  complaining,  unbe- 
lieving frame?   Are  you  saying,  O  Lord,  I  should  never  have  come 
to  thee  and  been  thy  disciple  if  thy  grace  iiad  not  prevailed  over  me? 
being  come,  I  encouraged  my  soul  to  hope  for  nothing  but  comfort 
all  through   life;   but  alasl   I  am  disappointed  and  dejected:   men 
laugh  at  me  and  deride  me;  one  says  1  am  an  enthusiast;   another 
my  brain  is  turned:  the  world  says  I  am  only  pursuing  whims  and 
chimeras  of  my  own  fancy  ;  and  satan  mocks  and  derides  me  daily, 
crying,   now  where  is  your  comfort?   Where  is  now  your  God  ?  Bles- 
sed christian,  consider,   3d.  and  be  not  dismayed....It  is  your  glory 
as  it  was  the  prophet's,  to  have  a   loving-hearted,  covenant  God,  a 
compassionate  Saviour,  who  is  touched  with  our  feelings,  to  go  to. 
You  can  pour  out  your  heart  before  him,  appeal  to  him,  tell  him  of 
your   sorrows,  treatment,  and   heart-felt   distress.     Though  all  the 
world  derides  you,  God  delights   over  you :   though  satan  insults, 
"God  shall  bruise  satan  under  your  feet  shortly.".... Rom.,  xvi.  20. 


56  FEBRUARY  22. 

Hevehi)  ive  knozv  that  he  abideth  in  us,  by  the  Spirit  zchich 
he  hath  given  ns....\  John  iii.  24. 

"  That  the  soul  be  without  knowledge,  it  is  not  good.",...Prov. 
six.  2.  What  knowledge  is  to  be  compared  with  the  excellency  of 
the  knowledge  of  Christ  ?  All  other  will  perish  ;  hut  "  this  is  life 
eternal. "...John  xvii.  3.  "  For  he  is  the  true  God  and  eternal  life.... 
1  John  V.  20.  Does  he  abide  in  us  ?  Could  wc  possess  the  whole 
Avorld  without  this  we  only  grasp  a  phantom.  We  may  as  well 
seek  to  fill  our  belly  and  satisfy  our  hunger  with  the  east  wind,  as  be 
happy  without  Christ  abiding  in  us.  1st.  Wliat  is  implied  in  this  ? 
We  know  Avhat  it  is  to  receive  and  entertain  a  friend  in  our  dwel- 
ling :  according  to  our  love  to  him  and  delight  in  him,  so  wc  treat 
him.  Love  will  set  the  best  things  before  him,  give  him  the  pre- 
eminence in  all  things,  and  accommodate  him  with  the  best  room  in 
our  house  ;  T«a,  love  is  jealous  lest  all  things  should  not  plcase« 
and  will  apologize.  Now,  is  it  so  between  Christ  and  our  souls  ? 
Have  we  received  him  as  the  best  and  dearest  friend  into  our  hearts  ? 
Do  we  welcome  him,  delight  in  him,  invite  his  stay,  intreat  him  to 
forgive  what  he  sees  amiss  in  our  poor  accommodation  ?  Then  he 
abideth  in  us.  But,  2d.  can  any  one  know  and  be  sure  that  Christ 
abideth  in  him  ?  Yes,  blessed  be  God  this  is  not  confined  to  the  first 
age  of  Christianity,  not  limited  to  the  apostles  only,  but  it  is  the 
precious  privilege  of  every  believer  in  Christ:  for  it  is  our  comfort, 
that  Jesus  being  glorified,  the  Spirit  is  given  to  all  his  redeemed 
to  testify  of  him.  See,  od.  This  knowledge  is  by  the  Spirit  which 
he  hath  given  us.  Take  heed  and  beware,  that  you  do  not  grieve 
the  Spirit,  by  ascribing  that  as  common  to  nature  which  can  only 
be  efTected  by  his  grace.  Do  you  see,  and  know  and  feel  yourself 
to  be  a  poor  miserable  sinner  from  day  to  day  ?  Is  sin  your  soul's 
grief  and  your  conscience's  burden  ?  Do  you  delight  in  the  sound  of 
the  gospel  and  welcome  name  of  the  Saviour  of  sinners  ?  Is  he  the 
hope  of  your  soul,  the  trust  of  your  heart  and  the  joy  of  your 
jnind  ?  Do  you  desire  his  company,  love  his  presence  and  delight 
in  his  work  of  salvation  ?  Were  he  now  to  appear  to  you  in  person, 
and  ask  what  is  the  one  w  ish  of  thy  soul  ?  ask  and  it  shall  be  done 
unto  thee.  Could  you  reply';  Lord,  that  I  may  know  thee  as  my 
own  dear  Saviour  from  sin  and  damnation  into  holiness  and  salva- 
tion. Is  it  so  ?  Who  gave  ihee  this  spirit  ?  not  satan.  It  springs 
not  in  the  garden  of  nature.  It  is  from  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  You 
may  truly  say,  I  know  Christ  abideth  in  nic,  by  the  Spirit  which 
he  has  given  nie....l  John  iii.  21. 

The  S|)irit  makes  known  Thee,  Spirit,  we  praise, 

What  Jesus  halh  done,  Wl>o  in  these  last  days, 

By  faith  we  it  own,  Afl'ections  doth  raise, 

Andchoose  him  and  glory  of  him  alone.  Jesufi  to  love,  und  t»  live  on  his  grace. 


FEBRUARY  23.  57 

Ye  ivere  sometimes  darkness,  but  ?w:v  are  ye  light  in  the 
Lord:  ivalk  as  children  of  light..., Eph.  v.  8. 

Natural  persons  raised  from  indigence  to  opulence  do  not  love 
to  hear  of  their  pedigree:  they  see  not  the  hand  of  the  Lord  in  it: 
what  detracts  from  their  person  and  merit  hurts  them :  but  disciples 
of  Christ  like  to  hear  of,  love  to  look  back  upon  what  they  ■were  by- 
nature,  that  they  may  ascribe  fresh  praise  to  the  Lord,  who  of  his 
mere  grace  "raised  their  poor  souls  out  of  the  dust,  and  lifted  their 
needy  souls  from  the  dunghill,  and  has  set  them  with  the  princes  of 
his  people. "....Psalm  cxiii.  7,  8.  We  are  here  reminded,  "Ye  were" 
....what?  dark,  having  some  glimmering  light  of  God,  his  truths,  his 
ways,  8cc.  Nay  more,  darkness  itself;  blind  to  them  as  if  totally 
deprived  of  sight ;  ignorant  of  them  as  a  beast ;  as  dark  about  them 
as  we  should  be  about  natural  objects  M'ithout  the  sun.  We  walked 
in  darkness  and  knew  not  that  we  were  in  the  high  road  to  hell. 
But  now,  blessed  now,  O  wonder  of  grace  !  Ye  are.. ..what?  enlight- 
ened by  the  Lord?  have  light  from  the  Lord?  Yes,  this  is  true. 
But  more,  "we  have  a  light  in  the  Lord,  like  the  angel  which  John 
saw,  standing  in  the  sun."....Rev.  xix.  17.  We  have  not  only  the 
light  of  life,  but  we  are  in  Christ,  who  is  the  sun  of  righteousness 
and  the  light  of  the  world.  Here  we  see  our  Father's  glory  shining 
in  the  face  of  Christ;  feel  his  love  in  him;  behold  his  grace  and 
truth  which  came  by  him;  enjoy  precious  promises  in  him;  know 
the  glorious  doctrines  taught  by  him:  all  which  lead  to,  and  center 
in  him.  Hence  we  look  down  upon  the  world  with  contempt,  upon 
sin  with  abhorrence,  upon  satan  with  defiance,  upon  carnal  men  with 
pity,  and  up  to  our  Lord  with  love  and  praise;  for  "we  have  an  unc- 
tion from  him,  and  know  all  things."....!  John  ii.  20.  His  truths  are 
our  delight:  "His  commandments  are  not  grievous."....!  John  v.  3. 
He  re  is  all  comprized  in  one  word,  walk  as  children  of  the 
LIGHT.  But  how  shall  I  know  I  am  a  child  of  light  ?  Strange  ques- 
tion! Just  as  odd  as  for  a  person  with  his  eyes  open  in  mid-day  light, 
to  ask  how  do  I  know  I  can  see  ?  But  if  you  do  not  enjoy  the  com- 
fort of  light  it  is  because  you  do  not  walk  as  a  child  of  light :  there 
are  many  such  dark  walkers.  No  marvel  they  are  uncomfortable 
professors.  Paul  wept  on  account  of  such.  See  them  described ; 
"  They  mind  earthly  things. "....Phil.  iii.  19.  They  have  a  tongue  for 
Christ,  the  world  has  their  heart:  beware  of  such  :  refrain  from  them ; 
for  "  If  we  say  that  we  have  fellowship  with  Christ,  and  walk  in  dark- 
ness, we  lie,  and  do  not  the  truth  :  but  if  we  wall?  in  the  light,  as  he 
is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship  one  with  another,"  and  ','the  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseih  us  from  all  sin."....  1  John  i.  6,7. 
Vol.  H.  H 


SB  FEBRUARY  24. 

IVhere  hto  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name  there 
am  I  in  the  midst  of  them.... Matt,  xviii.  20. 

Ot'R  hopes  and  comforts  rise  or  fall  according  to  our  conceptions 
and  belief  of  what  Christ  is  in  himself  and  "what  he  is  to  us.  Attend 
to  this:  you  will  find  this  true  in  your  experience.  Therefore,  it  is 
of  no  small  moment  whether  you  believe  Christ  to  be  God  over  all, 
or  only  a  mere  man  :  nay,  but  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  ;  it 
enters  into  the  very  life,  peace,  and  joy  of  your  soul.  He  here  puts 
this  beyond  a  doubt.  None  but  God  is  at  one  and  the  same  time  in 
more  places  than  one ;  but  Christ  declares  wherever  my  disciples  are 
gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I :  therefore  Christ  is  the 
omnipresent  God  ;  this  is  the  joy  of  our  faith  ;  this  the  glory  of  our 
souls:  now  it  should  be  our  grand  concern  to  bring  this  into  expe- 
rience and  practice.  1st.  Remember  "the  eyes  of  the  Lord  arc  in 
every  place,  beholding  the  evil  and  the  good."....Frov.  xv.  3.  O  soul, 
what  have  you  to  do  at  places  devoted  to  sin  and  vanity?  Know  the 
eyes  of  the  Lord  are  there  :  if  he  sees  you  there  he  will  surely  make 
you  smart  for  it.  But,  2d.  Our  Lord  delights  in  the  assembly  of 
his  disciples  in  his  name  ;  if  but  two  or  three,  no  matter  where.  O, 
let  this  call  up  your  attention  to  his  name  ;  let  this  reprove  profes- 
sors that  they  do  not  always  meet  in  Christ's  name,  speak  to  each 
other  more  of  his  glorious  person  and  precious  salvation :  this  is 
the  way  to  be  helpers  of  each  others  faith,  hope  and  love  in  the 
Lord.  Be  ashamed  of  yourselves,  ye  frozen-hearted,  tongue-tied 
professors,  who  can  be  all  talk  for  the  things  of  the  world,  but  dumb 
when  precious  Jesus  is  the  theme.  What !  can  you  go  day  after  day 
without  calling  your  family  together  to  speak  a  word  of  Jesus  to  them 
end  to  Jesus  for  them  ?  O,  what  seasons  of  peace,  comfort  and  hea- 
venly-mindtdness  do  you  abridge  yourselves  of!  The  presence  of  a 
king  makes  a  court :  the  King  of  kings  makes  a  court,  a  temple  in 
your  houses,  yea,  in  your  hearts,  when  you  assemble  in  his  name. 
Sd.  Let  this  precious  word  encourage  you  to  this  :  "  There  am  I  in 
the  midst  of  them."  Have  you  not  found  it  so?  The  unworthiest  of 
all  has.  There  am  I,  as  though  Christ  was  first  there  waiting  for 
us.  Can  his  presence  be  with  us  without  shedding  his  light,  life, 
liberty  and  power  among  us  ?  No,  no  more  than  the  sun  can  shine  in 
its  meridian  without  darting  light  and  heat.  Ith.  Remember  two  or 
three  arc  within  the  compass  of  the  promise:  not  angels,  not  sin- 
less men,  but  poor  miserable  sinners  Christ  delights  to  be  in  the 
midst  of.  O,  lore  and  praise  our  dear  Lord  for  his  marvellous  con- 
descension and  this  precious  declaration:  study  more  and  more  to 
improve  it,  to  build  up  each  othei"s  souls  in  him,  and  to  glorify  his 
precious  name.    See  his  affectionate  notice  of  such... .Mai.  iii.  16, 17. 


FEBRUARY  25.  59 

JFhat  is  yoiir  life  f. . .  James  i v.  1 4. 

A  SHORT  day,  full  of  evils:  a  span  long-,  replete  -nith  crosses. 
Each  revolving  day  brings  its  troubles:  each  fleeting  moment  it«j 
sorrows :  yes,  says  a  soul,  "  I  am  a  living  witness  of  this ;  I  am  a 
mark  for  the  enemy  to  shoot  his  fiery  darts  at;  against  whom  he 
daily  renews  his  attacks;  constantly  buffets,  and  is  ever  busy  with 
his  subtle  devices.  Each  morning  I  rise  I  am  brought  into  the  field 
to  exercise  my  arms,  or  on  the  stage  to  conflict  with  my  enemies. 
Truly,  I  am  almost  worn  out,  and  wearied  out:  what  wiih  a  sense 
of  in-dwelling  corruptions;  the  plague  of  my  heart;  the  attacks  of 
satan ;  the  troubles  of  the  world ;  want  of  the  sense  of  my  Lord's  love, 
and  the  workings  of  unbelief;  my  life  is  one  continued  scene  of  sor- 
row and  distress."  Remember  for  your  comfort,  your  life  is  short: 
your  rest  shall  be  eternal  and  glorious.  Consider  what  one  sweetly 
says:  "It  is  the  great  work  and  dilhculty,  and  yet  duty  of  a  chris- 
tian, to  believe  unseen  and  unfelt  love,  in  and  under  well  seen  and 
well  felt  difficulties:"  6ometimes  the  Lord  joins  them  as  in  1  Thess. 
i.  6.  "Having  received  the  word  in  much  aflliction,  with  joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,"  then  it  is  easy;  but  often  the  trouble  is  felt  and  the 
love  is  hid  in  the  word :  what  is  to  be  done  in  such  a  case  ?  Faith  can 
find  love  in  the  word  of  promise,  receive  it,  fasten  upon  it,  and  live 
by  it:  here  opens  a  most  delightful  scene,  a  most  glorious  prospect; 
here  lose  sight  of  your  life;  it  is  swallowed  up  in  that  word:  "ye 
are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God  :  Christ  is  our 
life.".. ..Col.  iii.  3,  4.  Never  consider  yourself  without  Christ,  nor 
.your  life  without  his  life,  nor  your  enemies  without  his  perfect  vic- 
tory over  them  in  your  nature,  for  your  person,  and  to  your  com- 
fort and  joy  in  him.  Now  say,  what  is  your  life?  You  have  lost  all 
the  glory  and  comfmt  of  it  in  Adam :  you  find  all  restored,  with 
infinite  addition  to  you»  in  Christ;  therefore,  whatever  your  feelings- 
and  frames  may  be,  yet  live  by  faith  upon  him,  above  corrupt  sense 
and  carnal  reason.  This  is  a  mystery  uiiktiown  to  the  world:  whea 
you  see  professors  following  the  pleasures  of  this  life,  seeking  hap- 
piness from  the  gay  scenes  of  vanity,  yeu  behold  them  turning  their 
backs  upon  Christ,  shewing  the  greatest  contempt  to  him,  and  in 
effect  saying  of  him,  the  Lord  with  all  the  treasures  of  his  life  and 
love  cannot  make  my  life  happy:  I  am  forced  to  take  up  with  the 
delights  of  the  play-house,  and  rant  and  revel  in  the  scenes  of  mirth 
and  jollity :  from  such  a  life,  such  a  spirit,  and  such  professors  of 
Christ,  Good  Lord  deliver  us. 

I  have  a  better  life  than  this :  Yea,  now  I  live,  for  Christ's  ifiy  life, 

'Tis  hid  in  Christ  with  God.  I  taste  the  joys  of  love  ; 

Let  death  this  mortal  body  seize,  And  when  1  die,  then  ends  my  strife, 

Heav'n  shall  be  my  abode,  I  go  to  joys  above.                      M- 


60  FEBRUARY  26. 

//  pleased  /lie  FaUier,  that  in  him  should  all  fulness  dxvell.. 
CgL  i.  19. 

Thk  religion  of  nature  is  the  religion  of  pride:  pride  is  of  the 
devil:  pride  works  by  a  lie  and  keeps  the  soul  in  unbelief  of  the 
truth:  hence  ^ve  naturally  think  some  change  in  us,  some  good  done 
by  us,  causes  God  to  be  our  Father,  and  Ave  look  on  ourselves  as 
his  very  good  children.  This  notion  obtains  in  the  mind  of  many, 
and  is  the  cause  of  their  rejecting  the  everlasting  covenant  of  the 
three-one  Jehovah,  and  denying  the  covenant  relations  and  transac- 
tions of  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost:  they  are  so  filled 
with  themselves,  Avith  their  stuff  of  inherent  righteousness,  free-will, 
moral  agency,  and  one  knows  not  wliat  unscriptural  jargon,  that 
they  see  not  all  fulness  in  Jesus,  where  it  pleased  the  Father  it 
should  dwell.  Lord  empty  us  of  all  self- fulness  that  we  may  receive 
out  of  thy  fulness :  the  Father  by  covenant  love;  God  took  on 
him  that  near  and  dear  relation  to  all  his  chosen,  when  his  eternal, 
co-equal  Son  covenanted  to  become  man,  to  sustain  the  curse  for 
man,  to  satisfy  justice  and  obtain  every  blessing  for  sinners.  This 
pleased  the  Father;  and  as  man  had  lost  all  holiness,  happiness  and 
blessedness  by  the  first  Adam,  and  was  quite  empty  of  all  good,  all 
fulness  is  treasured  up  and  dwells  in  the  second  Adam,  the  Lord 
from  heaven.  This  also  pleased  the  Father:  the  Father  of  whom? 
"  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his.".... 
Rom.  viii.  9.  Here  the  covenant  office  of  the  blessed  Spirit  is  engaged 
to  convince  us  of  sin,  to  empty  us  of  self-sufficiency,  and  to  shew 
us  the  fulness  that  dwells  in  Jesus  for  us:  hence  here  is  a  plain  an- 
swer to  that  question,  how  may  I  know  whether  I  have  the  Spirit 
of  Christ  or  not?  Do  you  see  yourself  stripped  of  all  righteousness, 
emptied  of  all  good,  prone  to  every  evil?  This  is  the  teaching  of 
the  Spirit.  Do  you  see  the  fulness  that  dwells  in  that  glorious  man 
Christ  Jesus?  That  you  must  receive  pardon  of  sin,  justifying 
righteousness,  adoption  to  be  a  child  of  God  by  faith  in  him,  sancti- 
fication  and  eternal  redemption  out  of  his  fulness?  Are  you  pleased 
at  this?  Are  you  satisfied  to  come  day  after  day  as  a  self-emptied 
sinner,  hungry  and  thirsty,  to  receive  out  of  his  fulness?  Can  you 
say  so  ?  Then  you  have  the  Spirit  of  God ;  for  what  pleased  the 
Father,  pleases  you  :  O,  rejoice  in  this  ;  you  may  say  with  the 
apostles  and  all  saints,  *'  Truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father  and 
his  Son  Jesus  Christ."....!  John  i.  o. 

Lord,  pull  our  haughty  spirits  down,  Spirit  of  grace,  lead  us  to  Christ, 

Our  empty  hearts  make  known,  As  to  our  fountain  head, 

O  make  uj  fall,  and  see,  and  own  Out  of  his  fulness  to  be  blest 

All  fulness  in  thy  Son.  With  life  and  living  bread.       M. 


FEBRUARY  27.  61 

The  Lord  Ihy  God  in  the  midst  of  tJice  is  mighty;  he  zcill 
save,  he  xvilirejoicc  over  thee  zvithjoi/....Ze/}h.  iii.  17. 

A  TRULY  gracious  heart  is  restless  and  unhappy  when  it  expe- 
riences distance  from  the  Lord  :  notions  of  the  Lord  may  satisfy 
formal,  dry  professors  ;  but  those  who  are  alive  to  God  cannot  rest 
without  enjoying  his  presence  ;  they  will  draw  nigh  to  him,  praying 
him  "  draw  nigh  to  my  soul  and  say,  I  am  thy  salvation."  That 
precious  word  lives  and  abides  in  our  heart :  "  now  in  Christ  Jesus 
we  poor  sinners  who  in  times  past  were  far  off  from  God,  are  made 
nigh  l)y  the  blood  of-  Christ.". ...Eph.  ii.  13.  Hence  we  are  called 
»ipon,  "  sing,  shout,  be  glad,  rejoice  with  all  the  heart."  Yea, 
thou  God-fearing,  soul-trembling  sinner,  even  thou,  the  Lord  has 
in  his  eye  and  speaks  from  the  love  of  his  heart ;  "  fear  thou  not, 
let  not  thine  hands  be  slack.". ...Zeph.  iii.  1 6.  Dread  not  thy  mighty, 
thy  many  enemies:  put  on  courage;  lift  up  the  hands  which  hang 
down;  take  hold  of  rhy  Lord's  word:  for,  1st.  thk  Lord  thy 
God  in  thk  midst  of  thef.  is  mighty  :  the  might  of  the  Lord 
his  God  was  in  the  midst  of  the  heart  of  young  David,  when  he 
went  to  fight  the  Philistine  giant.  Hence  you  hear  not  one  word 
of  himself,  of  his  own  might  and  power,  &c.  but  the  Lord  has 
done  this  and  that,  and  the  Lord  will  deliver  now;  I  come  forth  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord  :  so  Paul,  "  I  can  do  all  things  through 
Christ  who  strenglheneth  me.". ...Phil.  iv.  13.  Now  here  is  the  na- 
ture and  work  of  faith  :  when  Christ  dwells  in  our  hearts  by  faith, 
self  confidence  is  destroyed  :  says  the  soul,  I  am  weak  and  help- 
less ;  I  am  not  suflkient  of  myself  to  think  any  thing  of  myself,  but 
my  sufficiency  is  of  God... .2  Cor.  iii.  5.  This  language  is  a  proof 
that  the  Lord  is  in  the  midst  of  that  soul:  he  has  proved  that  he  is 
mighty  in  it  by  "casting  down  imaginations  and  every  high  thing 
that  exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of  God,  and  bringing 
into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obedience  of  Christ."....2  Cor. 
X.  5.  His  mighty  salvation  is  begun  in  that  heart :  it  has  no  cause 
for  dejection;  for  2d.  "he  will  save:"  you  believe  the  Lord's 
might :  he  is  able  to  save :  you  cannot  doubt  that :  his  word  declares 
it,  his  work  proves  his  willingness:  exercise  your  faith  upon  his  will  to 
save  you  both  from  ail  your  fears  and  all  your  foes:  cast  away  all 
vain  and  foolish  notions  of  terms  and  conditions  of  salvation:  see  it 
all  cast  upon  thk  will  of  Jesus;  for  3d.  "  He  will  rejoice  over  thee 
with  joy:"  it  was  his  joy  to  bleed  and  die  in  agony  and  in  blood  for 
thee ;  it  is  his  joy  that  thou  comest  and  criest  to  him  as  a  lost  sinner 
for  salvation :  he  will  rejoice  in  his  work  for  thee,  his  grace  in  thee, 
and  his  salvation  of  thee.  O,  well  maycst  thou  be  called  on,  "  re- 
joice in  the  Lord  ahvay,  and  again  rejoice. "....Phil.  iv.  4. 


m  FEBRUARY  2S. 

Jle  will  rest  in  his  love,  he  will  joy  over  thee  with  singing  f 
Zeph.  iii.  J  7. 

Instead  of  two  meditations  on  this  verse,  it  is  worthy  the 
study  of  our  whole  lives  :  eteniity  itself  will  never  exhaust  the  ful- 
ness of  that  rich  and  glorious  giace  contained  in  it.  When  the 
.vanity  of  the  creature,  and  the  richness  of  God's  everlasting  love  and 
free  grace  are  the  subjects,  Avell  might  the  preacher  say,  "  Of  mak- 
ing many  books  there  is  no  end:  though  much  study  may  be  a 
weariness  to  the  flesh.".... Eccles.  xii.  12.  Yet  such  study  is  reviving 
and  refreshing  to  the  spirit :  well,  saith  the  poor  sinner,  I  remember 
the  day  of  my  espousal  to  Jesus  ;  it  was  sweet ;  my  heart  was  filled 
•with  peace  and  joy  in  believing."  But,  ah  me  !  I  have  lost  my  first 
love  ;  I  am  cold  and  dark  and  dead  ;  I  go  on  heavily  while  the  ene- 
my oppresstth  me,  and  is  daily  saying  to  me,  "  where  is  now  your 
(jod  in  whom  you  once  delighted,  and  of  whom  formerly  you  made 
your  boast  ?  Thy  love  is  cold  to  him  :  he  has  totally  withdrawn  his 
Jove  from  thee  :  thy  manifold  sins  have  turned  his  love  to  thee  into 
perfect  hatred  against  thee."  Dost  thou  know  this  language  ?  Ho\r 
dost  thou  treat  it  ?  As  the  voice  of  a  friend^  or  an  enemy  ?  What 
saith  thy  Lord?  He  will  rkst  in  his  love;  believe  him  ;  reject 
the  lying  accusation  of  satan  ;  look  not  at  thy  scanty  love  to  the  Lord, 
but  to  the  fulness  and  perpetuity  of  his  love  to  thee  :  this  will  excite 
thy  love  ;  he  rests  everlastingly  and  unchangeably  the  same  in  his 
love  to  thee  :  God  is  as  unalterable  and  invariable  in  his  love  to  thy 
person,  as  in  hatred  to  thy  sins  :  he  is  silent  in  his  love,  he  for- 
gets thy  sins,  he  remembers  thine  iniquities  no  more  :  "  this  is  the 
declaration  of  covenant  love."....Jer.  xxxi.  34.  Therefore  he  will  be 
SILENT  in  his  love,  when  the  terrors  of  the  law  ring  a  loud  peal  in 
Thine  ears  and  satan  brings  dreadful  charges  against  thy  conscience, 
yet  thy  Loi'd  is  silent ;  he  condemns  thee  not  ;  his  love  covers  the 
multitude  of  thy  sins  ;  his  righteousness  justifies  thee  from  all  ini- 
quity. In  the  days  of  his  flesh,  when  a  poor  siniier  stood  before 
him,  and  was  vehemently  accused  to  him,  he  w  rote  upon  the  ground  : 
he  was  silent.  When  he  lifted  up  himself,  he  said  to  the  poor  soul, 
"  I  do  not  condemn  thee,  go  and  sin  no  more. ".... John  viii.  1 1.  He 
considers  his  toils  and  sufferings  for  sinners  ;  he  will  joy  over 
THEE  WITH  SINGING.  Ah  !  but  our  Saviom'*s  great  joy  would  be 
tm'ned  into  sorrow,  if  but  one  of  his  beloved,  redeemed  sheep  were 
to  perish;  but  that  is  as  impossible  as  for  him  to  cease  to  be  God.. 
Now  think  of  all  this  fulness  of  might,  love,  joy  and  delight  which 
thy  Lord  declares  he  has  in  thee  and  over  thee,  O  my  soul ;  the  Lord 
excite  confidence  in  him,  and  cause  Ihy  heart  to  burn  in  holy  love 
and  sweet  gratitude  to  him. 


MARCH    1.  6S 

That  he  should  gather  together  in  one^  the  children  of  God 
zvho  zvere  scattered  abroad.. .John  xi.  52. 

Thesk  words  are  like  Sampson's  riddle,  which  some  read  thus: 
"Food  came  from  the  devourer,  and  sweetness  from  that  Avhich  is 
violent  or  fierce. "....Judges  xiv.  14.  Caiaphas  the  high-priest  though 
a  devourer  of  Jesus,  yet  holds  forth  precious  foo<l :  thoupjh  violent 
and  fierce  against  Christ  yet  he  delivers  sweet  truth.  Truth  is 
truth  though  from  the  tongue  of  an  enemy:  yea,  it  is  a  double  con- 
firmation of  truth.  If  Christ  is  preached  let  ITS  rejoice,  though  even 
by  bad  men  and  from  bad  pnnciplcs.  Judas  preached:  the  Holy- 
Ghost  causes  this  wicked  high-priest  to  prophesy  of  Jesus.  By 
these  words  the  Holy  Spirit  plainly  instructs  us  in  these  precious 
truths:  O,  that  we  may  receive  them  in  love.  1  st.  That  though  the 
whole  world  is  become  guilty  before  Cod,  yet  he  has  a  peculiar 
chosen  number  who  are  here  called  thk  childukk  ct  (.on:  they 
were  not  so  by  nature,  but  children  of  wrath  even  as  others:  but 
God  "predestinated  them  unto  the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus 
Christ  to  himself  according  to  the  good  pleasuw  of  his  will."....Eph. 
i.  5.  vSimply  to  believe  this  is  to  bow  to  the  will  of  Cod:  to  object 
to  it  is  to  cavil  against  God's  good  pleasure  as  well  as  his  mercy.  2d. 
These  children  are  all  scattered  abroad:  every  one  of  them  is  turned 
to  his  own  way  of  cursed  sin  and  shameful  foilv ;  they  delight  in 
their  distance  from  Ciod ;  they  hate  the  knowledge  of  God  and  are 
at  enmity  against  his  lav/:  they  say  unto  God,  depart,  depart,  we 
desire  not  the  knowledge  of  thee:  they  sport  themselves  in  their 
own  delusions;  they  would  iill  up  the  measure  of  iniquity  till  their 
souls  drop  into  hell:  but,  3d.  They  are  to  be  gathered  into  one  : 
O  the  amazing  mercy  I  O  the  astonishing  grace  of  thisl  Christ  is  this 
belessed  one:  he  like  a  good  shepherd  gathers  his  poor,  scattered, 
Jost  sheep  into  himself:  "  unto  hiin  shall  the  gathering  of  the  people 
be. "....Gen.  xlix.  10.  "  He  gathereth  the  outcasts.".... Isa.  hi.  8. 
"  For  they  \<^ere  given  to  him  of  the  Father. "....John  xvii.  12.  Now,  arc 
you  deeply  concerned  to  know  what  all  the  world  care  nothing  about, 
whether  you  are  a  child  of  Ciodor  not  ?  Here  it  is  come  to  a  point.  Has 
Christ  gathered  you  ?  Has  he  called  you  by  the  grace  of  his  word,  and 
by  the  power  of  his  Spirit  to  come  to  him  ?  Have  you  seen  misery  and 
destruction  in  yourself  and  mercy  and  salvation  in  Christ  ?  Can  you 
say  from  your  heart,  Jesus  save  me  or  I  perish  ?  If  so,  you  arc 
surely  gathered  by  Christ :  you  are  really  a  child  of  God  by  faith 
in  Christ :  let  sin,  satan  and  unbelief  ever  so  much  object  against 
it,  .doubt  not  of  it.  Here  are  two  little  words  worth  the  study  of 
your  whole  life,  in  oxe  :  O,  ever  meditate  upon  the  glory  and  bles* 
sadness  of  being  one  ix  and  with  Christ  Jksus. 


64  MARCH  2. 

Thou  God  sees/,  vie... .Gen.  xvi.  13. 

"  Why  sayest  thou,  O  trembling  sinner,  my  way  is  ))id  from  the 
Lord  and  my  judgment  is  passed  over  from  my  God  r"  The  Lord 
here  asks  thy  reason  and  reproaches  thy  speech.. ..Isa.  xl.  27.  Look 
at  Hagar,  and  be  ashamed  of  the  unbelieving  surmises  of  thy  heart: 
she  was  a  dear  child  of  God,  yet  she  is  left  to  suffer  sore  distresses  : 
her  mistress  treats  her  cruelly  :  she  flees  to  a  solitary  wilderness  : 
here  was  no  eye  to  pity,  no  hand  to  relieve,  no  friend  to  comfort  her  ; 
and  what  must  add  to  her  sorrow  and  heighten  her  distress,  she  was 
with  child :  she  fled  from  her  station  in  providence,  but  the  God  of 
providence  follows  her... .the  angel  of  the  Lord,  rather,  the  Lord,  the 
angel,  the  messenger  of  the  covenant,  the  Lord  Jesus  the  Saviour  : 
he  found  her,  called  her  by  name,  enquires  the  cause  of  her  distress, 
and  bids  her  return  to  her  mistress.  Hagar  knew  her  Saviour  :  she 
sets  up  a  memorial  of  his  sympathizing  love  for  her  and  care  over 
her  :  she  called  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who  spake  unto  her,  thou 
God  skest  bie.  O,  how  much  is  implied  in  this  1  In  every  distress 
remember  this  for  thy  comfort,  and  in  every  perplexity  think  of  this 
for  thy  support,  thou  God  seest  me.  Let  this  be  the  daily  watch- 
word for  thy  soul.  For  it  implies,  1st.  What  the  church  says,  "  I 
was  in  his  eyes,  as  one  who  found  favor,  or  peace. "....Song  viii.  10. 
"  Therefore  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  me,  and  his  ears  are  open 
unto  my  prayers."....!  Pet,  iii.  12.  His  loving  eyes  looked  upon  me, 
pitied  me  when  I  was  polluted  in  my  blood,  called  me  to  enjoy  his 
favor  and  his  pe.\ce.  Bvit,  2d.  Am  I  got  into  a  wilderness  of  per- 
plexity ?  Do  I  find  no  one  who  can  comiorL  nie  ?  Do  I  think  I  have 
deserted  the  Lord,  and  therefore  he  hath  deserted  my  soul  ?  Still  re- 
member, "  THOU  God  seest  me  ;"  sees  the  sorrows,  marks  the 
sighs,  and  hears  the  complaints  of  thy  labouring  breast  with  an  eye 
of  sympathy,  and  a  heart  of  love  :  "  Our  dear  high  priest  is  most  ten- 
derly touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities.".. ..Heb.  iv.  15.  There- 
fore he  searches  after  and  follows  us  with  this  tender  and  compassion- 
ate call:  "  Return  again  to  me."....Jer.  iii.  1.  "Come  unto  me  ye 
weary  and  heavy  laden  I  wUl  give  rest  and  refreshment  to  your 
souls. "....Matt.  xi.  28.  3d.  Is  there  sorrow  in  our  hearts  for  the 
folly  of  our  ways,  and  this  cry  in  our  souls;  O,  that  it  was  with  me 
as  in  months  that  are  past?  This  is  because  the  Lord  sees  us  in 
mercy,  comes  after  us  in  love,  and  hath  not  given  us  up  in  wrath: 
and  what  says  he?  I  have  seen  his  ways,  and  I  will. ...what?  Danm 
him:  O  no!  O  the  riches  of  grace  :  "I  will  heul  him.".. ..Isa.  Ivii. 
18.  Lastly,  if  thou  God  skkst  jme,  O  may  I  always  live  as  see- 
ing tJiee  by  the  eye  of  faith:  live  in  thy  service,  walk  in  thy  fe«r 
unto  thy  glory. 


MARCH  3.  65 

Filled  xvltli  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  zvhich  air  bj/ Je- 
sus Christ  unto  the  glory  ajid praise  of  God. ...Phil.  i.  1 1 . 

He  who  sees  not  himself  stript  of  righteousness,  his  eyes  were 
never  yet  opened,  nor  his  heart  convinced  of  sin  by  the  Spirit  of 
God :  he  who  imagines  he  has  got  an  inherent  righteousness  of  his 
own  in  which  he  can  stand  before  God,  and  answer  all  the  demands 
of  his  holy  law,  deceives  his  own  soul:  he  who  seeks  to  be  made 
righteous,  to  be  justified  in  God's  sight,  and  to  obtain  a  title  to 
heaven  in  any  other  way  than  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  re- 
jects Christ  and  disbelieves  the  scripture  :  he  who  does  not  delight 
in  the  fruits  of  righteousness  and  desire  to  abound  in  them  and  to 
be  filled  with  them,  is  a  stranger  to  our  righteous  Saviour  and  des- 
titute of  the  power  of  our  most  holy  faith.  Mind,  1st.  thk  fruits 
OK  RiGHTEousNKss:  why  do  we  not  always  speak  in  scripture 
phrases  and  use  words  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teaches?  It  is  much 
easier  to  understand  this  phrase,  the  fruiis  of  righteousness,  than 
that  of  inherent  righteousness :  many  people  use  it,  but  they 
neither  know  themselves,  nor  can  they  explain  to  others  what  they 
mean  by  it.  These  school  terms  have  brought  no  honor  to  the 
plain,  simple  gospel  of  Christ,  but  have  puzzled  and  misled  simple 
hearts.  Pray  mind  how  exceeding  cautious  Paul  is  in  his  phrase.... 
Rom.  vi.  16.  Whether  of  sin  unto  death,  or  of  obedience  unto.... 
Whatl  life?  The  former  antithesis  seems  to  require  it  should  be 
UNTO  life;  but  Paul  well  knew  what  a  legal,  self-righteous  spirit 
is  in  us  and  how  it  works  by  pride;  therefore  he  cautiously  avoids 
electing  it :  he  says,  of  "  obedience  unto  righteousness,  not  unto 
life  ;"  this  is  the  obedience  of  faith  :  hence  springs  the  fruits  of 
righteousness.  2d.  These  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  as  he  is  the 
Lord  OUR  righteousness:  all  the  fruits  of  righteousuess  How 
from  our  vital  union  to  him,  and  communication  from  him  through 
faith.  3d.  The  end  of  them ;  they  are  not  to  satisfy  God's  justice, 
obtain  his  mercy,  or  procure  his  favor :  nor  to  fulfil  his  law,  in 
in  order  to  get  life  thereby.  If  we  think  so,  we  shall  be  puft  up  in 
our  minds,  reject  our  Saviour's  righteousness,  do  despite  to  the 
Spirit  of  grace  who  glorifies  him,  and  turn  the  eye  of  faith  from 
him  to  trust  in  our  good  fruits  :  but  they  are  unto  the  glory  and 
PRAISE  OF  God.  To  the  glory  of  God  who  has  justified  us  freely, 
and  will  give  us  the  kingdom  of  his  own  good  pleasure.  O  Chris- 
tian !  here  is  the  heavenly  spring  of  all  holy  zeal,  fervent  obedience, 
and  abounding  in  all  fruits  of  rigliteousness.  Pray,  study  -and 
Strive  that  you  may  excel,  abound  in  them,  and  be  filled  ^yith  them. 
"  For,"  says  our  Lord,  "  herein  is  my  Father  glorified  that  ye  bear 
much  fruit."....John  xv.  8. 

Vol.  IL  I 


66  MARCH  4. 

The  rod  of  llie  Kicked  shall  not  rest  upon  the  lot  of  the 
righteous,  lest  the  righteous  put  forth  their  hands  unto 
initjuitij... .Psalm  cxxv.  3. 

How   shall  we  draw  the  line  between  the  righteous  and  the 
wicked  ?  How  shall  we  distinp^uish  them,  seeing  they  are  both  alike 
the  subjects  of  a  wicked   nature,  derived  from  Adam  the  sinner, 
their  father  ?  The  Holy  Ghost  does  this :   he  sets  a  mark  upon  the 
righteous,  by   which   they   are   essentially   distinguished  from   the 
wicked,  in  the  first  verse  of  this  psalm  :   they  trust  in  the  Lord. 
The  wicked  tnist  in  themselves  that  they  are  righteous,  trust  in  their 
own  power  to  make  and  keep  themselves  so,  and  hope  for   God's 
favor  and  heaven,  becaiise  they  are  so:  they  trust  in  their  own  wisdom 
to  guide  them  through  life,  and  to  their  own  goodness  to  make  them 
happy  in  deiuh.     The  righteous  are  stript  of  their  own  righteousness : 
they  are  convinced  of  sin :  they  are  poor,  hopeless,  desperate,  and 
in  a  forlorn  and  wretched  condition  as  to  themselves.     (Do  you  see 
somewhat  of  your  own  picture  here?)  They  trust  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
for  righteousness  to  justify  and  entitle  them  to  heaven;  to  cleanse 
them  from  sin ;   for  wisdom  to  guide ;  power  to  support ;  grace  to 
sanctify ;  and  love  to  bring  them  to  glory.     Now  the«e  two  sorts  of 
persons  are  back  to  back ;  the  face  of  one  is   towards  heaven,  the 
oiher  towards  hell.     They  are  of  two  seeds,  there  is  enmity  put  be- 
tween them:  tlie  wicked  have  always  a  rod  for  the  back  of  the  righ- 
teous.    Ay,  and  they  would  lay  it  on  with  both  hands  and  always 
keep  it  upon  their  backs  too.     Though  for  wise  and  gracious  ends 
the  Lord  permits  this  for  a  season,  yet  he  will  not  suffer  it  to  rest 
there  long.     Wicked  Saul  was  a  scourge  to  righteous  Duvid,  so  was 
blasphenjiilg  Scnachcrib  to  good   Hezekiah;  and   says   the  church, 
"  Thou  caused  men  to  ride  over  our  heads. "....Psalm  Ixvi.  12.     Yet 
David  came  co  the  throne.     Hezekiah  and  his  people  were  unhurt  by 
the  Assyrians:   and  the  church   says,  "We  went  through  fire  and 
water,  but  thou  broughtest  us  into  the  wealthy  place."     Here  is  a  rea- 
son why  our  Lord  will  not  suffer  the  rod  of  ihe  wicked  to  rest  on  the 
righteous:   "  Lest  he  put  forth  his  hand  unto  iniquity."     We  never 
suff"er  judgment,  but  mercy  is  in  it :  our  troubles  arc  dealt  to  us  by 
the  hand  of  love:   mercy  is  mixt  with  then»  all.     The  Lord  knows 
the  righteous  is  but  frail :   he  remembers  he  is  but  dust,  and  liable 
to  sin:   he  is  wise  to  prevent  this.     When  oppression  and  trials  from 
the  wicked  bring  us  low  and  make  us  cry  to  the  Lord,  then  we  honor 
his  grace  and  his  power,  his  truth  and  his  love,  h\  the  alTiance  of  our 
heart:  "He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  hin),  he  also  will 
hear  their  cry  and  will  save  them. ".... Psalm  cxlv.  19. 


MARCH  5.  6T 

Noiv  abideth  faith,  hope  and  charity,  these  three,  but  the 
greatest  of  these  is  charity....  I  Cor.  xiii.  13. 

It  is  a  pity  it  was  not  rendered  love  instead  of  charity,  all 
through  this  chapter:  it  certainly  would  have  been  a  means  of  pre- 
Tenting  much  error.  Consider,  1st.  The  abiding  of  love:  it  springs 
from  faith  and  hope,  and  has  no  existence  in  the  heart  without  them. 
We  have  no  more  love  to  God  than  a  beast,  yea,  than  a  devil  has, 
till  we  believe  his  love  to  us  and  hope  in  his  promises  made  us  in 
Christ  Jesus.  We  love  him... .Why  ?  merely  because  of  the  glories 
and  perfections  of  his  nature  is  he  the  object  of  our  supreme  love  ? 
No;  but  "rather  because  he  first  loved  us."....l  John  iv.  19.  How 
has  God  manifested  his  love  to  us?  In  this:  "Because  that  God 
sent  his  only  begotten  Son,  into  the  world  that  we  might  live  through 
him."....ver.  9.  But  our  hearts  are  strangers  to  this  love  till  we 
believe  in  Jesus  and  hope  in  his  salvation:  then  the  effect  of  love  is 
produced  from  its  original  cause,  the  love  of  God;  then  we  live  ia 
love  and  walk  in  love,  because  we  live  a  life  of  faith  on  the  love  of 
God.  2d.  But  why  is  love  greater  than  faith  and  hope  ?  1st.  Be- 
cause it  is  the  greatest  proof  of  their  existence.  How  can  you  prove 
you  believe  and  hope  in  Christ  without  love  ?  This  is  the  love  of  God 
that  we  keep  his  commandments.  Suppose  you  were  called  to  be 
a  martyr  for  Christ:  you  believe  you  can  do  all  things  through 
Christ's  strengthening  you  ;  you  hope  he  will  strengthen  you ;  but 
if  you  so  love  him  as  to  suffer  for  him,  you  prove  your  faith  and 
hope.  2d.  Love  is  the  perfection,  the  rich  and  ripe  fruit  of  faith 
and  hope.  Love  is  the  very  nature  of  Ciod  in  the  soul ;  for  God  is 
LOVE.  Love  makes  our  souls  cheerful  in  the  service  of  God  and 
one  another.  What  is  life,  even  the  life  of  faith  and  hope  without 
love?  3d.  Love  will  live  and  sing  when  faith  shall  be  lost  in  sight 
and  hope  in  fruition.  Love  includcih  faith  and  hope;  "for  love  be- 
lieveth  all  things,  hojjcth  all  things,  beareth  all  things,  endnreth  all 
things:  it  never  faileth."....  1  Cor. xiii.  7,  8.  () my  Lord,  my  love,  glory 
to  thee  that  I  do  believe  and  hope  in  thee.  Crown,  O  crown  these 
blessed  graces  with  more  heavenly  love.  Love  is  of  tJiee,  and  from 
thee.  O,  so  shed  thy  love  abroad  in  my  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
that  I  may  not  only  be  a  believing,  hoping,  but  loving  disciple  of 
thine ;  that  my  soul  may  burn  with  a  flame  of  love  divine  to  thee 
and  to  my  brethren:  then  shall  I  assuredly  live  in  the  suburbs  of 
glory,  above  the  deceits  of  sin,  sataii  and  the  world;  for  love  is  of 
God....l  John  i v.  7. 

Lord-,  hast  thou  blest  my  soul  with  love,  Then  make  me  watchful  every  hour. 
My  soul  which  thee  did  hate  !  To  live  and  walk  in  love; 

Av.d  shall  1  sing  thy  praise  above  From  sin's  deceit  and  sataw's  pow'r. 

When  faith,  and  liope  abate  !  Lord  lift  my  soul  above.  M. 


68  MARCH  6. 

Christ  died  for  all,  that  they  zvhich  live  should  ?wt  hence- 
forth live  unto  themselves y  but  unto  him  xvhich  died  for 
them  and  rose  again... .2  Cor.  v.  15. 

Christ  died  for  all  "whom  the  Father  gave  him. "....John 
xvii.  9.  Sooner  or  later  all  these  willingly  and  cheerfully  come  \mto 
or  believe  on  Christ.  Joyful  to  remember,  we  are  drawn  to  Christ 
by  the  love  of  the  Father,  or  else  we  never  should  have  come  to 
him... .John  vi.  44.  Now  we  have  done  with  working  for  life,  and 
asking  what  must  we  do  to  be  saved?  for  now  we  actually  are  savkd 
and  really  do  live.  1st.  We  arc  saved  from  the  love  of  sin,  from 
our  natural  hatrq;!  to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  from  our  aversion 
to  full  justification  and  final  salvation  by  the  work  of  Christ  only. 
Legal,  self-righteous  hearts,  cry,  do  not  tell  ns  of  doctrines  of 
grace,  but  of  what  we  must  do  to  be  saved.  Truly  the  way  is  plain  : 
there  is  work  enough  for  them  to  do:  if  they  will  enter  into  life  by 
keeping  the  com  mandments,  let  them  perfectly  fulfil  the  law  and 
salvation  is  sure.  So  say  they,  no  matter  how  you  live,  live  as  you 
like,  your  salvation  is  sure  ;  this  is  very  true  ;  salvation  is  not  only 
possible,  but  sure  and  certain  to  every  believer  in  Christ  ;  and  all 
such  strive  to  live  as  they  like.  2d.  We  live  a  life  of  faith  on  the 
Son  of  God  :  not  under  the  legal  threats  and  terrors  of  the  law  in 
our  consciences,  striving  to  pacify  its  wrath  by  fulfilling  its  com- 
mands ;  but  perfectly  justified  from  all  its  condemnation.  We  do 
not  like  to  live  and  walk  in  our  sinful  lusts,  to  obey  our  depraved 
wills,  .to  gratify  our  sensual  affections,  to  live  to  sinful  sense  at  all ; 
nor  to  righteous  self  neither.  Our  souls  are  equally  averse  to  sinful 
lusts  as  to  self-righteous  pride.  Both  are  opposite  to  the  love  and 
glory  of  our  dear,  once  dead,  but  now  risen  Saviour.  As  by  him 
we  live  ;  so  to  him  we  live  :  this  is  what  we  like  and  prefer  above 
all  things.  Say,  O  my  soul,  is  not  this  thy  chief,  thy  one  desire  ? 
We  have  no  greater  pleasure  on  earth  than  to  walk  in  the  truth,  to 
live  by  the  truth,  and  to  live  and  walk  according  to  the  truth.  O, 
thou  life  of  our  souls,  thou  Jesus  and  our  all,  without  thee  we  can 
do  nothing,  help  us  to  consider  what  a  little  while  we  have  to  live 
unto  thee,  and  to  glorify  thee,  before  we  shall  live  and  reign  with 
thee.  Lord,  in  the  belief  of  this,  fire  our  hearts  with  a  holy  zeal 
for  thy  glory,  unremitting  diligence  in  thy  service,  and  unwearied 
constancy  in  obeying  thy  will,  "  being  ready  to  every  good  work.".... 
Tit.  iii.  1. 

Christ  died  for  us,  that  we  should  live,  O,  may  the  love,  the  dying  love 
No  more  to  self  and  sin  ;  Of  Christ  possess  my  soul. 

This  truth  is  precious  to  believe  :  By  living  faith  to  soar  above. 

And  makes  us  pure  within.  And  all  my  pow'rs  controul.  M, 


MARCH  7.  69 

O,  visit  mc  iciih  thy  salvation. ...Psalm  cvi.  4. 

There  is  no  good  got  by  paying  trifling  visits  and  receiving 
trifling  visitors  :  the  soul  that  is  alive  to  God  will  be  sick  of  such  an 
impertinent  way  of  sacrificing  its  time  :  "  Christ  hath  redeem.ed  us 
from  our  vain  conversation."....!  Pet.  i.  18.  Our  grand  business  is 
to  be  looking  at,  glorying  in,  and  talking  of  his  righteousness  and 
his  salvation  all  the  day  long  :  this  was  David's  practice  ;  if  we  fol- 
lowed it  more,  we  too  should  say  with  him,  "  My  lips  shall  greatly 
rejoice,  and  ray  soul  which  thou  hast  redeemed. "....Psalm  Ixxi.  23. 
As  our  joy  in  Jesus  increases,  carnal,  impertinent  acquaintance  would 
forsake  us.  Here  is  the  cry  of  a  convinced  sinner,  of  a  truly  gra- 
cious heart ;  O,  VISIT  MK  WITH  THY  SALVATION:  this  is  a  blcsscd 
frame  of  soul ;  Lord  help  us  to  consider  it  and  animate  us  to  live  to 
thee.  Here  is  spiritual  sight  and  spiritual  feeling.  What  is  a 
Christian  without  these  ?  Truly  sunk  into  a  state  of  dead  formality, 
l.st.  Spiritual  sight:  the  jioor  sinner  sees  himself  totally  ruined, 
and  must  be  eternally  miserable,  for  any  thing  he  can  do  to  save 
himself:  sin  has  destroyed  him,  and  the  law  of  God  curses  him  ;  but 
he  sees  that  Christ  has  perfectly  fulfilled  the  law,  suflered  its  curse, 
and  eternally  satisfied  inexorable  justice.  Thus  is  salvation  finished  : 
in  the  firm  belief  of  this  he  cries,  visit  mk,  even  vf.,  a  desperate 
sinner  in  myself,  with  the  joys  and  comforts  of  thy  salvation.  O 
Jesu,  I  cannot  be  content  with  hearing  of  ssUvation,  with  seeing  it 
is  for  sinners,  with  believing  it  is  everlastingly  finished  for  them, 
without  tasting  the  joys  and  feeding  upon  the  comforts  of  it  in  my 
own  soul.  For,  2d.  Here  is  spiritual  feeling  ;  laugh  on,  deride  as 
you  please,  ye  unquickened  multitude,  at  the  bitter,  sweet  feelings 
of  living  souls.  We  feel  the  bitter  of  our  misery  as  sinners  ;  we 
groan  being  burdened  with  a  body  of  sin  and  death  ;  we  cry  out,  O 
wretched  timt  we  are,  Avho  shall  deliver  us  ?  Rut  blessed  be  God, 
that  prayer  of  the  church  of  England,  at  the  visitation  of  the  sick, 
is  answered  upon  us  :  "  We  do  know  and  keel  that  there  is  none 
other  name  under  heaven  given  to  men,  in  whom,  and  through 
whom  we  may  receive  health  and  salvation,  but  only  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ :"  this  is  the  sweet  feeling  of  faith  ;  there- 
fore in  faith  we  cry,  visit  me,  miserable  me,  with  thy  salvation 
Lord  Jesus  ;  make  me  to  feel  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all 
understanding  ;  O,  shed  the  love  of  God  abroad  in  my  heart.  The 
Lord  keep  our  souls  in  this  believing,  praying,  loving,  feeling  frame 
below,  till  we  come  to  full  fruition  above,  rejoicing  that  we  are  made 
"  wise  unto  salvation. "....2  Tim.  iii.  15. 

In  the  firm  faith  of  sacred  truth,  The  precious  visits  of  thy  grace, 
O  may  1  e'er  abide,  Grant  me,  dear  Lord,  to  prove 

Expecting  God's  refreshing  love,  In  this  forlorn  and  wretched  state, 
Tho'  foes  do  me  deride.  To  fit  me  fov  above.  M. 


70  MARCH  8. 

The  Jtobj  scrf'p/Nrrs,  zvhicli  arc  able  fo  make  thee  wise  nnte 
sahalion,  through  faith  zchich  is  in  Clirist  Jesus.... 
2  Tim.  iii.  15. 
We  never  think  to  any  purpose  about  salvation  till  we  sec  our 
own  condemnation  for  sin.  Has  there  ever  been  a  tribunal  set  up  in 
your  conscience  ?  Have  you  been  arraigned  and  held  up  your  hand 
at  the  bar  of  justice  ?  Mas  the  law  of  God  brought  its  charge  against 
vou  ?  Have  you  from  inward  convictions  of  sin  been  forced  to  plead 
GUILTY  ?  Then  the  law  pronounces  its  curse  upon  you,  and  there  it 
leaves  you  under  it>5  guilt  and  terror  ;  for  to  convince  and  to  condemn 
is  all  the  law  can  do  :  the  Lord  knows,  and  poor  sinners  know  too, 
(I  speak  for  one)  this  is  a  most  deplorable  state.  Now,  the  once 
neglected  book  of  God  becomes  most  precious  to  the  soul  ;  he  now 
sees  as  he  had  no  knowledge  of  sin  but  by  the  law,  so  he  can  obtain 
no  knowledge  of  salvation  but  by  the  gospel.  Such  a  soul  is  wise, 
but  not  in  his  own  eyes  ;  prudent,  but  not  in  his  own  sight :  there  is 
a  woe  against  such  as  are....Isa.  v.  21.  And  Christ  thanks  his 
Father  that"  he  had  hid  the  things  of  his  kingdom  from  the  wise  and 
prudent,  and  revealed  them  unto  babes.".. ..Matt.  xi.  25.  Q,  it  is 
blessed  to  be  a  babe  in  one's  own  sight,  to  know  that  we  have  no 
wisdom  in  ourselves,  to  be  stript  of  all  our  corrupt  ideas  of  salvation., 
to  see  that  we  must  learn  all  from  the  scriptures,  and  simply  receive 
and  believe  M^iat  they  testify  of  salvation  by  Jesus  :  this  is  tioie 
wisdom  ;  this  is  being  wise  unto  salvation.  Now,  if  you  closely 
attend  t6  and  examine  the  cause  why  your  walk  is  not  always  holy, 
happy  and  joyful,  you  will  find  it  is  because  of  your  folly.  You  do 
not  simply  search  the  scriptures  for  wisdom,  nor  simply  believe  the 
salvation  they  reveal,  which  is  in  Christ.  The  scrijUnres  are  able 
to  make  thee  wise  unto  salvation.  But  say  you,  cannot  the  spirit  do 
this  without  them  ?  This  is  folly.  The  spirit  is  in  the  word  ;  he 
teaches  us  to  be  wise  unto  salvation  by  the  word  :  if  you  expect  the 
spirit  without  the  word,  you  have  the  vain  hope  of  a  fool.  Thkough 
rAiTH  IN  Chtiist  Jesvs:  the  scriptures  testify  of  him,  and  of  sal- 
vation by  him  oni.v.  To  believe  the  scriptures  is  to  believe  in  Christ 
unto  salvation.  O,  say  some,  I  do  from  my  heart  believe  the  scrip- 
tures, but  1  fear  I  have  no  saving  faith  in  Christ.  Here  you  are  not 
a  babe  ;  not  simple  of  heart :  you  did  not  learn  this  from  the  scrip- 
tures ;  you  get  into  the  reasoning  of  the  father  of  lies  :  so  you  dis- 
tress your  mind.  Take  thy  Lord's  reproof,  "  O  fools  and  slow  of 
heart  to  believe  (Avhat  ?)  all  that  is  si'OKKN."....Luke  xxiv.25. 

Vain  men  who  seek  to  be  mude  wise,  C'  me.lir.ten  to  the  scripture's  voice> 
Without  God's  holy  word,  It?  sacred  truths  ohey, 

NPRlcCiing  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  With  wisdom  then,  ye  shall  rejoice 

Yc  ne'er  can  know  the  Lord.  In  Chriit  the  only  way. 


MABCH  9.  71 

T}ds  people  have  I  formed  for  myself :  ilwx)  shall  shew 
.  forth  my  praise.... Isa.  xliii.  21. 

What  says  the  world  of  God's  new  formed  creatures?  "  These 
men  turn  the  world  upside  down. "....Acts.  xvii.  6.  Well,  if  they  do, 
is  it  not  right  ?  Seeing  the  devil  by  sin  turned  it  upside  down  once, 
Christ  by  the  power  of  his  grace  turns  it  upside  down  again  ;  then 
it  is  turned  into  its  right  state.  The  Lord  is  here  about  to  perform 
a  wonder  of  grace  :  he  calls  for  our  special  attention  to  it :  "  Behold 
I  will  do  a  new  thing.". ...Isa.  xliii.  19.  He  was  going  to  take  those 
who  were  not  his  people,  to  Tr»ake  them  a  people.  The  eminent  dis- 
plays of  God's  grace  should  be  tiie  admiration  of  our  hearts  and  tlic 
glory  of  our  souls.  See,  1st.  The  description  of  this  people:  they 
are  compared  to  the  beast  of  the  field,  to  dragons  and  owls  :  yet  the 
Lord  calls  them,  "my  people,  my  chosen. "....Isa.  xliii.  20.  My 
soul,  remember  what  thy  nature  is  :  as  filthy  as  a  beast,  as  fierce  as 
a  dragoO)  as  stupid  as  an  owl.  Was  the  earth  at  its  first  creation 
without  form  and  void  of  order  ?....Gen.  i.  2. ...Just  so  respecting 
spiritual  things  are  all  the  subjects  on  whom  the  Lord  displays  the 
power  of  his  grace.  View  thy  nature  :  come  down  from  thy  alti- 
tudes :  live  in  the  valley  of  humiliation :  adore  the  power  that  formed 
thee  :  confess  the  hand  divine,  i'or  2d.  The  Lord  forms  such  :  till 
this  is  eflfecled  we  are  only  formed  to  serve  our  lusts,  enjoy  the 
pleasiu*es  of  sense  and  sin,  and  to  be  slaves  of  satan.  What  hand 
have  we  in  our  spiritual  formation  ?  Just  as  much  as  the  earth  had 
in  forming  itself  into  order  and  beauty,  out  of  a  rude  mass  of  chaos 
.  and  confusion.  Well  might  Paul  say,  "  We  are  his  workmanship, 
created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus. "....Eph.  ii.  10.  Settle  this  well  in  thy 
mind,  to  quell  the  rising  of  cursed  free-will  pride  which  i-obs  the 
Lord  of  the  glory  of  his  efficacious  grace,  3d.  Sec  the  end  of  the 
Lord's  work  of  grace  upon  sinners.  1st.  Formed  for  myself;  how 
precious  is  that  word.  Formed  to  come  unto  God,  enjoy  fellowship 
with  him,  and  live  upon  the  fulness  of  the  grace  of  Christ;  yea,  to 
choose  the  Lord  for  our  portion,  and  delight  in  him  as  our  all  in 
time  and  eternity.  2d.  They  shall  shew  forth  my  praise.  Lord 
fill  our  hearts  with  such  a  sense  of  thy  distinguishing  grace  to  us, 
that  thy  name  may  be  ever  praised  by  us.  O,  may  we  ever  praise 
thee  with  the  love  of  our  hearts  and  the  obedience  of  our  lives,  who 
hast  called  us  out  of  nature's  darkness  into  the  marvellous  grace  of 
Christ. 

We're  all  alike  dc^troy'd  by  sin,  Throii3;h  Christ  iintrt  our  riiin'd  race. 

And  sunk  into  a  hell  of  woe  ;  To  raise  our  sonls  to  Joys  above. 

Butsov'reig;i  grace  reuewsvvithin. [flow.  Equal  praise  to  tliee,  O  Spirit, 
Hence  peace  wiih  God    and  comforts    Our  soul  ■,  are  ever  bound  to  give. 
Sing,  0>e  saints  I  this  matchless  grace,    By  thy  pow'r  we  now  inherit 
Flows  from  our  Faihejr's  endless  love,       Our  aJl  in  Christ,  and  on  him  live. 


72  MARCH  10. 

All  tluH  the  Fallicr  giveth  mCy  shall  coine  to  me,  and  him 
that  Cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no  zoise  cast  out...  John  vi.  37. 

By  how  many  ways  does  satan  get  advantage  of  us  ?  Though 
he  cannot  engage  us  to  do  his  drudgery,  as  cooks  and  scullions  in  a 
kitchen,  yet  he  often  employs  us  to  nurse  those  peevish,  defornjedr 
ill-favored  brats,  corrupt  reason,  unbelief,  slavish  fears,  &c.  And 
he  gives  us  no  other  wages  for  our  service  but  distress,  dejection 
and  discontent:  O  ye  children  of  the  most  high,  instead  of  nursing 
such  a  vile  brood,  why  do  ye  not  rather  poison  them  by  divine  truth, 
and  dash  them  in  pieces  by  divine  promises  flowing  from  God's 
everlasting  love  to  you  :  mark  the  process  of  it.  1st.  Because  the 
Lord  loved  you,  he  gave  you  to  his  Son  ;  this  implies  some  secret 
transaction  between  God  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Christ  Jesus: 
here  we  have  a  display  of  covenant  purposes.  All  whom  the 
Father  loved  with  an  everlasting  love  and  chose  in  the  morning  of 
eternity,  he  committed  into  Christ's  hands  to  be  saved  by  him  with 
an  everlasting  salvation.  Came  the  Son  of  God  from  heaven  upon 
an  uncertainty  ?  Died  the  Lamb  of  God  as  a  fool  dieth,  to  no  fixed 
end  and  purpose  ?  No ;  he  died  to  redeem,  he  rose  to  justify,  he 
ever  lives  to  save  all  whom  the  Father  hath  given  him,  &c.... 
John  vi.  39.  Believest  thou  this  ?  Yes,  says  a  poor  sinner,  and  I 
tremble  lest  I  should  not  be  one  of  this  blessed  number  ;  you  have 
reason  to  tremble,  if  you  have  not  come  to  Christ.  For,  2d.  He 
saith,  "they  all  shall  come  to  me;"  what!  as  dragged  by  the 
hair  of-  their  heads  ?  So  some  impiously  pun  upon  the  doctrines  of 
efficacious  grace :  no,  but  they  come  willingly  and  cheerfully  to 
Christ,  as  drawn  by  the  bands  of  love  and  the  cords  of  reason  :  we 
see  ourselves  in  all  the  filth  of  sin,  in  utter  ruin  and  distress,  feel 
guilt  in  o\n-  conscience,  the  curse  of  the  law  on  our  heads,  self- 
dtspair  in  our  hearts,  and  with  this  cry  in  our  mouth,  save.  Lord,  or 
I  perish  :  I  am  lost,  but  thou  hast  died  :  there  is  no  Saviour,  no  sal- 
vation but  thee  :  I  believe  this,  and  come  to  thee.  Is  this  thy  case? 
Then  rejoice,  thou  wast  given  to  Christ  by  the  Father  in  eternity, 
and  the  Spirit  hath  quickened  thee  to  come  to  Christ  in  time. 
Hear  what  our  dear  Saviour  saith  of  all  such  :  3d.  "  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out."  O,  this  blessed  negative  is  the  strongest  aflirmativc  ! 
This  precious  word  has  been  a  sheet-anchor  to  nmny  a  soul  in  storms 
of  distress... .IN  no  wise  :  though  black  as  hell,  deformed  as  a 
devil  by  sin,  yet  whenever  such  a  soul  comes  to  me,  my  loving 
heart  will  most  freely  receive,  my  gracious  arms  most  cordially  em- 
brace, my  precious  blood  perfectly  cleanse,  my  glorious  righteousness 
everlastingly  justify,  and  I  will  for  ever  save  him  to  the  uttermost. 
Heb.  vii.  23. 


MARCH   11.  73 

Know  ye  not  your  ozvn  selves,  how  thai  Jesus  Christ  is  in 
you,  except  ye  be  reprobates  F....2  Cor.  xiii.  5. 

Happy  for  ministers,  when  their  mission  from  Christ  is  called  in 
question,  to  appeal  to  their  people's  hearts  to  prove  that  Christ  hath 
spoken  to  them.  Happy  for  christians,  to  examine,  prove,  and  know 
themselves,  and  to  find  Christ  is  in  them.  Ignorance  of  ourselves, 
lies  at  the  bottom  of  all  error  and  self  deceit.  Lord  help  us  deeply  to 
consider  this  important  question.  IsL.  Know  ye  not  your  own  selves  ? 
Come,  you  are  very  ready  to  judge  ministers,  find  fault  with  them, 
and  to  call  their  gifts  and  graces  in  question:  look  at  home:  know 
yourselves :  be  not  puffed  up :  consider  yourselves,  be  humble.  Your 
hearts  are  deceitful  above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked  ;  your 
nature  is  totally  corrupt  and  abominable  :  In  your  flesh  dwells  no 
good  thing?  its  motions  are  to  bring  forth  fruit  unto  death:  its  lust- 
ings  are  continually  unto  sin.  Know,  there  is  no  difference  in  your 
nature  from  that  of  the  most  vile  and  abandoned  sinner  upon  the  face 
of  the  earth.  If  left  to  yourselves,  there  is  not  the  most  atrocious 
sin  but  you  might  commit:  There  is  not  a  hell  in  which  others  are 
eternally  suffering  for  sin,  but  what  you  justly  deserve  and  would 
fall  into  ;  for  your  sinful  nature  is  as  reprobate,  corrupt  and  adulte- 
rate as  others,  even  as  the  most  vile:  yea,  and  your  state  is  also  by 
nature  as  bad  as  others,  even  children  of  wrath.  Know  ye  not 
your  own  selves?  Has  the  Spirit  of  truth  made  you  thus  acquainted 
with  yourselves?  Be  not  afraid  to  see  and  know  the  very  worst  of  your- 
selves. For,  2d.  Know  ye  not  that  Jesus  Christ  is  in  you,  except 
ye  be  reprobates ?  Blessed  distinction!  In  this  the  elect  differ  from 
the  reprobate:  the  former  have  Christ  in  them;  the  latter  reject 
Christ  and  are  without  any  true  knowledge  of  him,  faith  in  him,  and 
love  to  him.  What  is  implied  in  Christ  being  in  us  ?  1st.  Dwelling 
in  our  hearts  by  faith:  a  clear  knowledge  of  him,  cordially  receiving 
him,  heartily  believing  on  him,  stedfastly  cleaving  to  him,  con- 
stantly abiding  in  him,  steadily  looking  to  him,  as  he  is  revealed  in 
the  word,  the  righteousness  of  sinners,  the  atonement  for  the  guilty, 
justification  for  the  ungodly,  and  the  Saviour  of  the  hopeless,  help- 
less, and  desperate.  Therefore,  2d.  He  is  precious  to  us,  as  being 
suitable  for  us  in  his  glorious  person  and  all  his  blessed  offices:  hence 
our  hearts  go  after  him,  our  aflections  are  placed  on  him,  and  it  is  the 
desire  and  delight  of  our  souls  to  honor,  serve  and  obey  him:  thus 
self-knowledge  and  the  knowledge  of  Christ  are  the  very  criterion  of 
salvation.  O,  that  we  may  sink  into  the  depths  of  the  deepest  hu- 
mility by  the  one,  and  rise  into  the  heights  of  the  highest  comfort, 
peace  and  joy  by  the  other :  so  shall  we  prove,  that  we  have  true 
christian  experience  of  the  love,  and  grace  of  Christ. 
Vol.  It  K 


74  MARCH  12. 

But  speaking  the  truth  in  love,  ma\)  grow  up  into  him  in 
alt  things,  who  is  tlie  head,  even  Christ. ...Eph.  iv.  15. 

There  is  much  good  or  much  harm  done  by  public  preaching 
and  private  speaking-.  See  to  it  christians:  it  either  makes  souls 
grow  up  in  self-love,  self-righteousness,  and  self-complacency  ;  or  to 
grow  quite  out  of  all  conceit  with  themselves,  and  to  grow  up  into 
Christ  in  all  things.  Vain  persons  who  think  themselves  very  hand- 
some, are  peculiarly  fond  of  looking  at  themselves  in  a  glass  that 
flatters  or  deceives  them  :  if  they  see  a  disgustful  spot  or  blemish  in 
their  face,  their  vanity  prompts  them  to  give  it  some  better  name 
than  it  deserves,  that  it  may  not  bring  down  their  high  opinion  of 
their  own  beauty :  this  is  the  exact  case  with  those  who  are  grown 
.up  in  themselves,  in  a  high  conceit  of  their  own  sinlkss  perfec- 
tion :  if  a  spot  or  blemish  of  sin  appear,  O  that  is  only  an  infirmity 
they  do  not  call  these  things  sin :  but  one  loud  peal  of  thunder,  one 
dreadful  Hash  of  lightning  from  Mount  Sanai,  would  make  them  say 
with  David,  "  I  have  seen  an  end  of  all  perfection.".... Psalm  cxix.  96. 
And  with  Paul,  "  I  was  alive  without  the  laAv  once,  but  when  the 
commandment  came  sin  revived,  (it  seems  sin  was  fallen  into  a  dead 
swoon,  but  the  law  revived  it)  and  I  died. "....Rom.  vii.  9.  Then 
Paul  was  glad  to  speak  the  truth,  in  love,  to  love  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  to  grow  out  of  conceit  with  himself,  and  to  grow  up  in  Christ 
in  all  things.  O,  this  is  blessed  growing.  Lord  make  our  souls 
tlius  increase,  with  all  the  increase  of  God.  Into  Christ:  in  a  great- 
er knowle'dge  of  his  glorious  person,  more  experience  of  his  hum- 
bling grace,  stronger  exercise  of  faith  in  him,  hope  towards  him, 
love  to  him,  patience,  resignation  and  self  denied  obedience  to  his 
blessed  word  and  will.  In  all  things:  as  Christ  has  redeemed  us 
from  ALL  iniquity,  and  justified  us  from  all  things;  faith  works 
by  the  love  of  this,  to  universal  obedience;  for  Christ  is  thk 
head:  ever  remember  this  and  be  humble;  firmly  believe  this  and 
be  joyful.  He  is,  1  st.  The  head  of  inlluence :  you  can  have  no  grace 
to  strengthen  you:  no  righteousness  to  justify  you:  no  holiness  to 
sanctify  you;  no  love  of  the  Father  to  bless  you:  no  Spirit  to  com- 
fort you,  but  in  and  from  him:  the  body  is  nourished  from  the 
head:  So  are  all  Christ's  members.  2d.  He  is  the  head  of  eminence 
to  protect  you  from  every  evil  enemy  and  danger,  till  he  brings  you 
safe  to  his  glory.  Know,  that  all  this  comfort  and  blessedness  is 
enjoyed  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  "  who  is  the  truth. "....John  xiv.  6. 


1MARCH   13.  rs 

Only  believe.... Mark  v.  S6. 

A  SHORT  answer  to  a  case  of  great  distress  :  a  simple  recipe 
from  the  greatest  physician  :  a  grand  catholicon,  or  xmiversal  remedy 
that  suits  all  cases,  states  and  circumstances,  and  is  seasonable  at  all 
times.  Look  at  this  history  :  look  to  the  author  of  faith  to  profit  by 
it.  Here  is  a  ruler  falls  at  Christ's  feet,  beseeching  help  for  his 
daughter  at  the  point  of  death  :  Jesus  went  with  him  :  before  he 
arrives  at  the  house,  news  is  brought  that  the  child  is  dead  :  the 
Lord  of  life  and  death  forbids  the  father's  fears:  be  not  afraid; 
he  encourages  his  hope  :  only  believk.  Fears  are  natural  to  sin- 
ners ;  faith  expels  them.  Christ  restores  her  to  life  :  joyful  news 
for  us.  1st.  Here  is  precious  encouragemerit  for  our  faith  in  every 
application  to  Christ.  Tor  2d.  Here  is  a  marvellous  display  of  his 
great  love,  ready  will,  and  almighty  power  to  help  and  relieve  us  : 
he  not  only  restores  at  the  last  gasp,  but  when  life  is  departed  recalls 
it.  If  your  soul  is  alive  to  God,  you  have  experienced  this  :  It  Was 
dead  in  sin  :  Christ  quickened  you  :  now  he  is  your  life,  how  are 
you  to  walk  and  enjoy  the  comfort  of  this  ?  only  believe.  How 
many  hearts  heave  with  indignation  against  this  doctrine  ?  How 
many  taunt  at  us  ?  "  O  you  arc  all  for  faith,  nothing  but  faith,  only 
believe."  True,  we  are  all  for  Christ,  nothing  but  Christ,  only 
Christ;  and  we  can  enjoy  him  only  by  believing :  he  reproves  our 
slowness  of  heart  to  believe  as  our  greatest  folly....Luke  xxiv.  25. 
All  our  comfort  flows  from  faith  ;  all  our  misery  from  unbelief. 
Bring  this  to  a  point.  Are  we  groaning  under  the  burden  of  inbred 
sin,  vexed  with  sore  temptations  ?  Do  we  feel  the  accusations  of 
conscience,  fear  the  terrors  of  a  broken  law,  see  the  drawn  sword  of 
justice  in  the  hand  of  a  sin-avenging  God,  and  tremble  at  the  solemn 
thoughts  of  death  and  judgment?  Under  all  this,  what  can  bring 
relief  to  our  conscience,  hoi)e  to  our  mind,  and  peace  to  our  soul  ? 
Only  believe  that  Christ  hath  redeemed,  justified,  and  will  eter- 
nally glorify  us  :  this  is  death  to  our  fears,  and  life  to  our  joys. 
Again,  how  is  the  life  of  holiness  maintained?  Only  believe  that 
walking  in  fellowship  with  Christ  infinitely  exceeds  all  the  pleasures 
of  sin,  the  joys  of  sense,  and  the  happiness  of  the  world.  Faith 
elevates  the  soul  above  all  this,  and  causes  it  to  look  down  with  a 
holy  contempt  upon  it.  Faith  enjoys  Christ,  that  is  heaven  in  the 
heart.  "  In  this  stedfast  faith  we  are  to  resist  satan....l  Pet.  v.  9.  and 
overcome  the  world."....  1  John  \ .  4. 

"  Only  l)elieve:"  Lord  give  the  pow'r,  Faith  brings  all  glory  to  the  Lortl, 
To  look  to  thee  in  CT'ry  hour,  It  trusts  his  pow'r,  spoke  in  hit,  word  t 

Of  sorrow,  need,  and  sore  distress,       It  lifts  dejected  spirits  up, 
For  love  to  help  in  ev'ry  case.  Who  lean  on  Christ  their  only  hope.  M. 


76  MARCH  14. 

What  time  I  am  afraid,  I  tcilt  trust  in  thee.... Psalm  Ivi.  3. 

A  christian's  fears  commence  with  his  joys.  Being  new  born 
he  is  the  subject  of  new  joys  and  new  fears  also  ;  and  glory  to  grace, 
he  has  a  new  object  too  to  trust  in,  a  covenant  God  in  Christ,  who 
is  unchangeable  in  his  love.  Confidence  in  him  is  the  sovereign 
antidote  against  dejecting  fears  :  fears  that  the  world  know  not  of, 
beset  holy  saints.  1st.  They  find  and  feel  their  hearts  to  be  super- 
latively deceitful  and  desperately  wicked  ;  they  dread  their  corrup- 
tions more  than  all  the  men  on  earth  or  devils  in  bell ;  they  are  afraid 
lest  some  vile  lust,  cursed  corruption,  or  devilish  temptation  should 
prevail,  so  as  to  offend  their  Lord,  wound  their  conscience,  and 
bring  a  reproach  upon  the  gospel  of  our  beloved  :  this  is  a  holy  fear ; 
it  can  do  the  soul  no  harm  ;  it  is  for  its  good  ;  it  keeps  it  humble 
and  self  diffident,  and  causes  it  to  say,  "  I  will  trust  in  thee."  "  Do," 
saith  the  Saviour,  "  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee:  my  strength  is 
made  perfect  in  thy  weakness :  my  power  shall  prevail  over  thy 
wickedness." 

2d.  They  may  be  afraid,  after  all  their  delightful  hopes  of  living 
and  reigning  with  Jesus  in  glory  ;  that  through  the  pressure  of  a 
body  of  sin  and  death,  the  snares  and  devices  of  satan,  the  allure- 
ments of  the  world,  See.  they  may  come  short  and  perish  at  last : 
they  may  fear,  lest  after  they  have  spun  the  last  thread  they  should 
perish  on  the  shore  in  sight  of  glory  :  but  they  may  boldly  and  con- 
fidently say,  I  will  trust  in  thee  ;  for  here  is  a  most  precious  three- 
fold cord  which  can  never  be  broken.  Thus  saith  Jesus,  1st.  I 
give  unto  my  sheep  eternal  life.  2d.  They  shall  never  perish.  3d. 
None  shall  pluck  them  out  of  my  hands.. ..John  x.  28.  I  thank  thee 
my  dear  Lord  ;  this  has  been  a  sheet  anchor  to  my  soul  in  many  a 
dreadful  storm. 

od.  We  may  be  afraid  of  that  terrible  monster,  death;  but  Christ 
hath  conquered  him  for  us  :  trust  in  the  Lord  brings  pcrlect  victory 
over  him,  and  joyful  triumph  against  him  ;  so  that  we  can  say,  "  O 
death,  where  is  thy  sthig?  O  grave  where  is  thy  victory?  Thanks 
be  to  God,  w  ho  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
....1  Cor.  XV.  55,  57.  Faith  makes  a  bridge  over  the  river  of  death, 
but  4th.  says  a  poor  sinner,  I  am  not  afraid  of  being  damned  in 
hell,  but  of  starving  on  earth  :  but  saith  he,  "  Trust  in  the  Lord, 
and  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed.".. ..Psalm  xxxvii.  3. 

How  many  are  the  fears  O,  teach  my  soul  the  art, 
Which  exercise  my  mind !  All  times  to  trust  in  thee  ; 

But  God  is  nigh,  his  grace  appears,  For,  O  how  gracious  is  thy  heart. 
From  this  support  I  find.  In  love  it  bled  for  me.  M. 


MARCH   15.  77 

J  laving  therefore  these  promises,  dearly  beloved,  let  vs 
cleanse  ourselves  from  all  ^filthiness  of  the  fesh  and 
spirit.... 2  Cor.  Vii,  1. 

Cleanse  ourselves!  What!  was  holy  Paul  the  subject  of  filthi- 
ness?  Yes,  he  as  well  as  all  the  holy  saints  of  Corinth  constantly 
wanted  cleansing  by  the  blood  of  Christ  :  Paul  again  and  again 
declares  against  the  proud  notion  of  sinless  perfection  ;  he  well  knew 
that  regenerating  grace  and  adopting  love,  do  not  entirely  destroy 
the  infection  of  our  nature  ;  but  hereby  we  are  brought  into  a  holy 
state,  we  are  set  above  the  power  of  sin  ;  we  hate  the  detilenient  of 
it,  and  we  ever  have  the  precious  blood  of  the  Lamb  to  have  recourse 
to  for  cleansing  from  it :  "the  Son  of  God  has  made  us  free  indeed." 
....John  viii.  36.  Free  from  the  slavery  of  sin,  and  the  bondage  of. 
the  law :  free  to  come  to  him  that  we  may  wash  our  garments  and 
make  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Do  you  see  and  be- 
moan that  you  are  the  subject  of  internal  as  well  as  external  filthi- 
ncss  ?  Should  you  not  be  ashamed  that  your  fellow  christians  should 
know  what  filthy  and  abominable  thoughts  pass  through  your  mind  ? 
Are  they  not  the  grief  of  your  very  soul  ?  The  Lord  knows  them 
all  :  he  has  provided  and  set  open  a  precious  fountain  for  sin  and 
uncleanness.—Zach.  xiii.  1.  Believe  his  love  :  take  the  benefit  of 
his  Son's  blood  :  come  freely,  come  daily,  come  constantly  to  it  by 
fiiith  :  wash  and  be  clean  :  see  the  reason  for  this  ;  "  having  these 
promises:  O,  consider  how  great  and  precious  they  are.  1st.  Of 
being  temples  of  the  living  God.  2d.  Of  his  in-dwelling  presence. 
3d.  Of  his  being  our  God,  and  we  his  sons  and  daughters.  4th.  Of 
God's  receiving  us,  and  owning  us  as  such  whenever  we  come  to 
him  :  most  powerful  motives  for  cleansing.  See,  believers,  your 
precious  privileges  ;  we  are  not  called  upon  and  tirged  to  cleanse 
ourselves  by  the  terrors  of  the  law  on  pain  of  damnation.  No  ;  but 
as  loving  children  in  a  state  of  salvation,  under  the  covenant  of  love 
and  grace  ;  nothing  but  great  and  precious  promises  await  us  from 
the  love  of  God  our  Father,  from  the  grace  of  God  our  Redeemer, 
and  from  the  witness  of  God  our  sanctifier  ;  and,  it  is  by  these,  we 
are  animated  and  excited  to  cleansing  and  purification.  Would  it 
not  be  a  scandal,  and  a  shame  to  an  earthly  monarch,  for  his  chil- 
dren to  appear  in  filthy  garments,  consort  with  the  low  and  vulgar 
of  his  subjects,  and  give  into  their  practices?  O,  ye  sons  and 
daughters  of  the  King  of  kings,  consider  your  dignity  ;  act  up  to 
your  high  station  ;  adorn  your  profession  ;  walk  worthy  of  your 
God. 

Lord  I've  daily  need  of  cleansing.  Now  I'm  in  thy  new  creation, 

By  thy  most  precious  blood  O  cleanse  and  keep  me  clean  ; 

Filthiness  of  flesh  and  spirit  Jesus,  thou  art  my  salvation. 

Cleave  to  my  ev'ry  good.  Purge  me  from  ev'ry  stain.            M. 


73  MARCH   16. 

Perfecting  holiness  hi  tJicfear  of  God. ..,2  Cor.  vii.  1. 

Who  are  thus  exhorted?  Saints  in  Christ.  What  for?  to 
labor  to  get  perfect  holiness  to  obtain  the  favor  of  God  ?  No  :  they 
are  already  perfectly  justified  in  his  si^ht  and  sanctified  to  his  glory: 
but  some  reject  this  ;  they  legalize  the  gospel,  (if  I  may  so  speak) 
imder  a  specious  shew  for  holiness,  as  though  that  was  to  procure 
more  for  us  from  God  than  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  his  dear 
Son  :  this  is  aiming  to  perfect  holiness,  in  ignorance  and  unbe- 
lief ;  this  eclipses  the  glory  of  Christ's  M'ork  for  us,  inverts  the 
order  of  gospel  oeconomy,  and  brings  perplexity  and  distress  upon 
God's  children :  for,  this  is  the  glory  of  the  gospel,  that  moment  a  sin- 
ner is  justified  by  the  faith  of  Christ,  he  is  sanctified  by  the  Spirit  of 
Christ.  Our  title  to  heaven  and  our  meetness  for  glory,  come  to- 
gether by  the  same  rich  gmce  :  being  brought  into  the  sense  of 
God's  favor,  we  have  also  suitable  dispositions  to  enjoy  him.  What 
then  ?  Are  we  to  be  idle  in  the  christian  life,  to  live  and  walk  ac- 
cording to  the  course  of  this  world,  iulfiling  our  carnal  lusts?  No: 
those  who  do,  have  no  reason  to  think  they  possess  a  holy  faith  in  a 
holy  Jesus,  or  that  a  holy  God  is  their  father  in  Christ.  Saint  of 
God,  thou  art  called  to  perfect  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God.  1st. 
How  is  this  to  be  done?  By  living  a  life  of  faith  on  the  Son  of  God, 
who  cnme  to  destroy  die  works  of  sin  and  satan,  and  to  conform  us 
to  the  image  of  God.  We  arc  daily  to  look  to  Christ,  to  be  sancti- 
fication  in  us,  as  well  as  righteousness  to  us  ;  we  have  daily  sins  to 
be  subdued,  graces  to  be  exercised,  and  duties  to  be  performed. 
Only  the  grace  of  Christ  is  sufficient  for  us  :  and  by  that  w^e  are 
enabled  to  go  on,  pcrfectmg  holiness.  It  is  a  constant,  progressive 
work.  No  one  is  perfect  in  holiness.  Every  saint  is  going  on  pkr- 
FECTiNG  it  to  the  end  of  life  in  the  holy,  loving  fear  of  the  Lord. 
2d.  Why  is  this  to  be  done  ?  It  is  our  calling  :  we  must  follow  it  as 
our  trade:  the  more  holiness  from  Christ,  the  more  happiness  with 
him  :  it  brings  honor  and  glory  to  Christ;  it  proves  that  his  religion 
is  of  a  holy  nature,  that  we  possess  a  holy  faith,  and  that  it  works  by 
the  love  of  Christ  in  holy  love  to  him:  so  it  puts  to  silence  the  igno- 
rance of  foolish  men  by  living  down  their  carnal  objection,  that  the 
doctrine  of  absolute,  unconditional  salvation  leads  to  licentiousness. 
Yet,  3d.  Here  is  no  room  for  legal  boasting  of  our  holiness;  for 
"the  Lord  works  in  us  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure," 
....Phil.  ii.  1 3.  In  all  that  we  are  and  do,  we  are  to  follow  after  holiness: 
"Holiness  to  the  Lord,  shall  be  upon  the  bells  of  the  horses.".... 
Zech.  xiv.  20. 

Lord  daily  teadi  me  more  and  more,    O  let  thy  fear  dwell  in  my  heart, 
The  way  to  joy  and  hliss,  Ltst  1  should  thee  olVcnd, 

That  ail  who  reach  the  heav'nly  shore,  And  trom  thy  lioiy  ways  depart, 
Must  walk  in  holiness.  And  hold  out  to  the  end.  M 


MARCH   17.  79 

Whosoever  liveth  aJid  bdkveth   in  me  shall  never  diey  be- 
lievest  thou  this  f...  John  xi.  26. 

In  great  declining  of  strength,  dejection  of  spirits,  and  in  con- 
sideration of  the  near  approach  of  death,  these  precious  words  of 
our  dear  Lofd  were  brought  to  my  mind  ;  ihty  were  as  a  comforting, 
reviving  draught  to  my  spirits.  Lord  I  !)less  thee  for  them.  O,  njy 
soul,  dwell  on  them.  Am  I  a  sinner  born  to  die  ?  Is  death  the 
wages  of  sin  ?  Must  these  eyes  which  now  read  thy  precious  sayings 
be  soon  closed  by  death  ?  Must  the  hand  which  now  directs  this  pen 
be  shortly  still"  in  death  ?  Yet  dost  thou  my  Lord  say,  living  and  be- 
lieving in  thee,  I  shall  never  die.  Dost  thou  ask  me,  "  BelifeTest 
thou  this?  Lord,  thou  who  know  est  all  things,  knowest  that  by  tliy 
grace  I  can  say,  tuou  art  thk  Son  of  God  :  thou  hast  fulfilled 
thine  own  promise,  "  C)  death,  I  will  be  thy  plague.  O  grave,  I 
■will  be  thy  destruction.".. ..Hosea  xiii.  14.  '•  l)e«tth  is  swallowed  up 
in  victory."....!  Cor.  xv.  54.  "  Shall  never  die  :"  death  has  lost  his 
form  ;  he  is  changed  from  a  substance  into  a  shadow. ...Psalm 
xxiii.  4.  Only  children  and  fcols  are  afraid  of  a  shadow.  Glory  to  thee 
my  Lord,  that  I  am  a  man  in  understanding,  and  by  thee  am  made 
"  wise  unto  salvation."  Death  has  lost  both  his  sting  and  his 
strength  ;  sin  is  atoned  ;  the  law  is  fulfilled  :  I  believe  in  thee,  O 
Jesu,  who  hath  done  both  for  the  victory  ;  'tis  mine  ;  I  have  it  in 
possession  ;  thy  word  cannot  fail  ;  thou  hath  said,  "  I  shall  never 
die."  The  terrors  of  death  are  changed  into  the  sweet  composure 
of  sleep.  I  shall  soon  fall  into  this  precious  rest,  sleep  in  thee  ; 
thou  shall  soon  wipe  away  all  tears  from  mine  eyes  ;  I  shall  awake 
with  thee,  and  sin  and  sorrow  shall  be  no  more  for  ever.  O,  well 
mayest  thou  ask,  "  Belicvest  thou  this  ?"  For  in  the  faith  of  this 
consists  all  my  comfort,  which  results  in  loving  thee  and  glorifying 
thee  in  life  and  in  death. 

"  Faith  works  by  love  :"  it  works  by  the  Fatlier's  everlasting  love, 
in  giving  his  only  Son  to  be  our  Saviour:  it  works  hy  the  precious 
love  of  thee,  thou  sin-atoning,  law-fulfilling,  justice-satisfying, 
death-conquering  Son  of  God  :  it  works  by  the  love  of  thee,  thou 
«oul-renewing,  faith-begetting,  sin-subduing  spirit  of  holiness  and 
truth.  This  is  the  given  principle  of  love,  which  faith  springs  from, 
lives  upon,  and  works  by  :  here  faith  is  all  in  all ;  for  it  brings 
Christ  and  all  his  victories  into  the  heart,  puts  death  and  every 
enemy  under  our  feet,  "silences  all  satan's  accusations  and  all  legal 
condemnations  :  "  this  is  the  victory,  even  our  faith."....  1  John  v.  4. 

O  soul  reviving  joy  of  faith,  Christ  lives  and  says,  I  ne'er  shall  die. 

Which  lives  upon  my  Saviour's  word  !  His  word  I'm  sure  he  will  fulfil: 
It  triumphs  o'er  thepow'rs  of  death,      He's  truth  itself,  he  cannot  lie, 
Posscst  ftf  TJcl'ry  in  my  Lord.  And  dsath  is  subject  to'  his  will.       M*. 


so  MARCH  18. 

Behwed,  if  our  Iwarl  condemn  us  nofy  then  have  zee  con- 
Jidence  towards  (jod....\  John  iii.  21. 

A  TEXT  misapplied,  is  like  a  bone  out  of  joint,  which  puts  the 
body  to  pain  :  this  text  may  have  such  an  effect  upon  the  soul  ;  for, 
vhat  poor  sinner  is  there  upon  earth,  but  his  heart  must  condemn 
him  for  coming  short  of  God's  glory  and  perfect  obedience  to  his 
holy  law  ?  Must  he  therefore  give  iip  his  confidence  towards  God  ? 
Yes,  if  we  so  understand  the  text.  But  surely  this  was  not  the 
apostle's  design  ;  for  this  would  efleclually  destroy  love  to  God,  and 
distress  his  dear  children's  souls,  by  taking  away  the  comfort  of 
faith,  that  "  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them  in  Christ  Jesus,".... 
Rom.  viii.  1.  What  meaneth  he  then?  Plainly  to  establish  our 
hearts  in  the  faith  of  God's  love  to  us  in  Christ,  and  from  this  love 
experienced  in  the  heart,  in  love  to  our  brethren  in  Christ :  this  is 
an  experienced  truth,  if  faith  and  love  abate,  our  hearts  condemn  us 
and  our  confidence  towards  God  grows  weak :  in  proportion  to  our 
lively  faith  and  warm  love,  confidence  towards  God  is  strong.  1st. 
As  to  faith:  the  apostle  calls  on  us....l  John  iii.  1.  "Behold 
what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon  us,  that  we 
sTiould  be  called  the  sons  of  God."  Now,  are  you  beholding,  be- 
lieving and  living  upon  this  stupenduous  love  of  God  in  Christ  ?  Are 
you  dwelling  upon  it?  Does  it  engage  your  attention?  Does  it 
captivate  your  affections  ?  Does  it  swallow  up  the  low,  mean,  inor- 
dinate love  of  the  world  ?  If  not  your  heart  will  condemn  you  ; 
your  confidence  in  God  will  abate  ;  you  will  not  delight  in  him  with 
the  aflection  of  a  child,  nor  draw  nigh  to  him  with  joyful  gladness, 
as  to  your  loving  fiUhcr.  So,  2d.  Of  love  :  love  to  the  brethren 
of  Christ  the  apostle  is  here  treating  of:  lively  faith  in  Christ  ever 
begets  warm  love  to  our  brethren  ;  then  v/e  have  strong  confidence 
towards  God,  that  he  is  our  loving  Father  and  we  his  obedient 
children  ;  but  if  love  be  wanting,  our  hearts  will  smite  and  reproacli 
us  and  confidence  in  God  forsake  us.  See  hence,  that  all  our  com- 
forts spring  from  our  confidence  towards  God,  and  all  our  distress 
from  our  hearts  condemning  us  for  want  of  faith  and  love.  O,  let  us 
cry  to  the  blessed  Spirit,  to  enable  us  to  live  more  upon  the  love,  the 
matchless,  everlasting,  unchangeable  love  of  God  to  us  in  Christ 
Jchus.  Let  us  be  thankful  that  he  has  given  us  feeling  hearts, 
which  are  not  like  the  wicked,  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness  of  sin  ; 
but  are  tender,  to  feel  the  least  condenmatioh  ;  and  when  our  hearts 
condemii  us,  let  us  flee  to  our  great  high-priest,  who  is  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities.. ..lieb.  iv.  15. 

My  heart  doth  oft  condemn,  But  still  he  bids  me  care 

When  God  condemneth  not  :  To  walk  in  faith  and  love, 

He  JMStitics  me  in  the  I.amb,  In  him,  and  to  his  children  dear, 

And  all  my  sins,  doth  blot.  And  taite  his  joys  above.  M, 


MARCH  19.  81 

Wherefore  let  him  that  thinketh  he  standeth  take  heed  lest 
he  fall....  I  C(7f\  X.  12. 

Formal  professors  of  his  name  are  called  the  Lord's  people,  as 
well  as  those  who  are  possessors  of  his  love:  the  former  for  want 
of  love  to  God  have  no  zeal  for  his  glory :  hence  they  are  careless 
of  their  walk  and  are  liable  to  fall  from  the  height  of  a  towering 
profession  into  the  bottomless  pit  of  perdition.  Possessors  of  Gods 
love  are  also  liable  to  fall,  though  not  out  of  the  hands  of  Christ  into 
hell,  yet  into  many  things  which  may  wound  their  souls,  bring  a 
hell  into  their  consciences,  a  dishonor  on  the  name  and  gospel  of 
Christ,  and  give  the  enemies  thereof  an  occasion  to  blaspheme  that 
worthy  name  by  which  they  are  called.  O  Christians,  see  to  your 
standing :  you  are  called  upon  as  you  love  your  da;ar  Saviour,  as 
you  value  the  peace  of  God,  and  the  comfort  of  your  souls,  "  to  take 
heed  lest  you  fall."  Be  not  high  minded,  but  fear:  you  stand  by 
faith,  the  dreadful  falls  of  others  are  here  set  before  us  for  ensam- 
ples,  types  or  patterns  of  the  awful  judgment  of  God  against  sin, 
and  as  a  warning  to  us  to  beware  that  we  fall  not  as  they  did.  1st. 
Into  idolatry :  O,  beware  of  sacrificing  your  precious  time  and  atten- 
tion to  heathenish  vanities.  Any  thing  that  takes  your  heart  from 
God  is  an  idol.  Mixing  with  the  wicked  and  profane,  to  partake 
of  their  carnal  joys,  is  a  species  of  idolatry.  You  as  good  as  say, 
I  cannot  find  complete  happiness  in  my  God,  therefore  I  seek  it 
here:  "covetousness  is  idolatry. "....Col. iii.  5.  A  covetous  man  seeks 
that  in  his  gold  which  can  only  be  enjoyed  io  God:  be  sure  the 
anger  of  the  Lord  will  smoke  against  such.  2d.  "Fornication."  O, 
beware  of  this  gross  sin  of  the  flesh,  and  ajso  of  spiritual  fornica- 
tion against  your  Lord  Christ.  3d.  "They  tempted  Christ:"  O,  be- 
ware how  you  distrust  the  grace,  power,  and  faithfulness  of  Christ 
to  keep  you  and  comfort  you,  so  as  to  withdraw  your  faith  in  him, 
hope  on  him,  and  prayer  to  him :  or  tempt  him,  by  presuming  on 
his  power  to  keep  you,  in  the  midst  of  snares  and  temptations  you 
wilfully  run  into.  4th.  "They  murmured:"  O,  watch  against  a 
spirit  of  dissatisfaction  with  the  dispensations  of  providence,  and 
the  displays  of  grace  :  the  pride  of  our  nature  is  prone  to  find  fault 
with  both.  What  caused  all  this  ?  Why,  5th.  "  They  lusted  after 
evil  things :"  this  is  the  source  and  spring  of  every  sin :  •'  When  lust 
hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin,  and  sin  when  it  is  finished, 
bringeth  forth  death. ".... James  i.  15.  What  is  the  sovereign  anti- 
dote against  all  this?  Standing  in,  and  walking  by  the  faith  of  the  Son 
of  God:  this  brings  fellowship  with  God.  Hence  lust  is  killed  in 
the  heart,  that  it  cannot  break  out  into  sin  in  the  life:  "Be  ye 
therefore  sober,  and  watch  unto  prayer."....!  Pet.  iv.  7. 
Vol.  H.  L 


82  MARCH  20. 

The  kingdom  of  God  is  not  in  word,  bid  in  power..., 
1  Cor.  iv.  20. 

It  is  the  wisdom  of  a  christian  to  improve  from  the  various 
objects  he  meets  with:  see  we  an  open  profane  sinner?  Beware  of 
looking  doAvn  upon  him  with  Pharisaic  pride  and  supercilious  con- 
tempt:  behold  in  him  your  own   wicked  nature:   remember  grace 
alone  made  the  difierence:   be  humble;  adore  the  God  of  grace:   see 
we   only  the  form  of  godliness  in  any  ?    Paul  tells  us  how  to  act : 
"from  such  turn  away,".. ..2  Tim.  iii.  5.     You  will  get  no  good  from 
tlicm:   there   is    little  hope  of    doing  good  to  them;   leave  them: 
why  so  ?  Because  they  are  strangers  to  the  vital  power  of  godliness 
and  destitute  of  the  inward  experience  of  the  grace  of  Christ  upon 
their  souls  :   true  they  may  make  a  great  shew  ;   have  vast  zeal  for 
the  interest  of  a  party  ;  be  very  warm  and  violent  for  the  form  of 
sound  words,  a  consistent  plan  of  doctrine   and  a  set  of  scripture 
notions  ;  but  yet  after  all,  it  is  but  the  notion  and  form  of  things 
which  float  in  their  heads,  and  swim  on  the  surface  of  their  under- 
standings :   their  hearts  are  dead  to  the  love  of  Christ,  but  alive  to  the 
love  of  the  world :  they  join  the  men  of  the  world  in  their  contemp- 
tuous sneer  upon  the  power  of  self-denying  godliness :   and  in  irreli- 
gious banter  upon  those  who  seperate  themselves  from  the  ungodly 
and  profane,  and  live  and  walk  under  the  influence  of  spiritual  feel- 
ings and  experience:   all  thjs  they  account  precise  folly,  and  condemn 
as  rank  enthusiasm.     Have  you  the  power  of  godliness  ?  Is  Christ 
the  power  of  God  in  your  heart?  Is  your  soul  alive  to  him  ?  Is  your 
body  the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost?  Does  God  dwell  in  you,  and 
delight  over  you  ?  Is  it  your  daily  delight  to  study  the  word,  rely 
upon  the  promises,  taste  the  grace,  feel  the  power,  feed  upon  the 
comfort  and  live  upon  the  fullness  of  the  love  of  Christ?   What  have 
you  to  do  with  the  men  who  are  content  with  mere  form,  shadow  or 
notion  ;  and  are  strangers  to  the  power  of  all  this  ?  Catch  the  infec- 
tion of  their  secure  spirit  you  may :  by  such  the  keen  edge  of  your 
spiritual  affections  may  be  blunted ;   you  may  be  drawn  to  lie  supinely 
down  by  them  and  into  spiritual  slumber  with  them;   But  of  all  men 
there  is  the  least  hope  of  these  rising  from  their  security,  running 
the  heavenly  race  with  you,  and  of  being. spiritually  profitable  to  you 
think  of  this  and  turn  from  them:  know   your  danger:  though  not 
of  losing  your  soul,  yet  of  losing  the  life,  comfort  and  power  of  god- 
liness:  O,  what  is   a  christian   without  this?  How  comfortless  the 
moments?    How  dejecting  the  hours?    How  distressing  the  days! 
How  doleful  the  nights  without  experiencing  the  power  of  Christ ! 
Yea,  what  is  life  itself,  without  the  experience  of  his  grace  and  love  ! 


MARCH  21.  83 

And'he  bowed  himself  and  said,  ichat  is  thy  servant  that 
thou  shoiddest  look  upon  such  a  dead  dog  as  I  am  P.... 
2  Sam.  ix.  8. 

Old  love  cannot  he  forgotten  ;  it  makes  such  deep,  and  leaves 
such  lasting  impressions  on  the  mind,  Avhich  time  itself  cannot 
efface.  This  was  verified  in  David  and  Jonathan :  the  latter  is  dead ; 
yet  love  to  his  memory  lives  in  David's  heart:  hence  he  enquires 
after  the  remains  of  his  family,  to  shew  kindness  unto  them. 
Mephibosheth,  the  lame  son  of  Jonathan  is  introduced  to  the  king  : 
he  thus  expresses  the  affection  of  his  royal  heart  to  him.  "  Fear 
not,  for  I  will  surely  shew  kindness  to  thee  for  Jonathan  thy  father's 
sake,  and  will  restore  thee  all  the  land  of  Saul  thy  father,  and  thou 
shalt  eat  bread  at  my  table  continually."  Had  any  of  David's  sub- 
jects a  right  to  arraign,  and  call  him  to  an  account  for  this  sovereign 
act  of  favor?  ^Vhich  of  them  would  dare  to  say  unto  him,  what 
dost  thou  ?  But  yet  proud  hearts  rise  with  indignation  and  utter  their 
horrid  speeches  against  the  sovereign  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth, 
for  dispensing  his  free  favor  and  rich  grace  which  he  owes  to  none, 
to  whom  he  pleases.  See  how  Mephibosheth  is  affected.  Struck 
with  astonishment  he  bows  with  humility,  and  rates  himself,  a 
DKAD  DOG  :  totally  undeserving  such  signal  favors.  Generous  love, 
in  freely  bestowing  unmerited  mercies,  sink  reflecting  minds  into 
deep  humility  and  self  abasement.  O  that  God's  free  grace  to  us 
in  Jesus  may  so  affect  us.  Did  such  love  dwell  in  David's  heart  to 
all  who  belonged  to  Jonathan  ?  Then  1st.  Here  is  a  picture  of  the 
everlasting,  infinite  and  immutable  love  of  God  to  all  who  belong  to 
Jesus.  Jonathan  signifies  ihe  gift  of  the  Lord,  this  Christ  is  to  us. 
2d.  Did  David  enquire  after  them?  So  God  sends  his  Spirit  to 
seek  us.  "  Thou  shalt  be  called,  sought  out.".... Lsa.  Ixii.  12.  Sd. 
Was  Mephibosheth  lame  in  his  feet?  We  are  so  crippled  by  sin, 
that  we  cannot  run  the  way  of  God's  commandments  ;  yet  4th.  Says 
David,  "  fear  not."  So  saith  our  God,  "fear  not,  I  have  called  thee 
by  thy  name,"  a  sinner.... lsa.  xliii.  1.  5th.  Says  David,  "I  will 
surely  shew  kindness  to  thee  :"  "  With  everlasting  kindness  will  I 
have  mercy  on  thee  saith  the  Lord. "....lsa.  liv.  8.  6th.  "  I  will  re- 
store thee  all  thy  father's  land."  It  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure 
to  give  you  the  kingdom.  7th.  "  Thou  shalt  eat  bread  continually." 
''  We  are  appointed  to  eat  bread  at  our  Lord's  table  in  his  kingdom." 
....Luke  xxii.  8.  8th.  Why  is  all  this  ?  "  For  Jonathan  thy  father's 
sake."  O  sinner,  be  it  known  unto  thee,  all  the  favors  in  time  and  to 
eternity  are  bestowed  on  thee  for  Jesus  the  Son  of  God's  sake  onlv. 
Now  what  say  you  to  all  this  ?  Will  you  not  fall  down  and  own,  I 
am  as  a  dead  dog,  and  deserve  to  be  as  a  damned  devil  1  "  But  grace 
reigns."....Rom.v.  21. 


84  MARCH  22. 

Tlie  Father  seeketh  such  to  worship  him.... John  iv.  25. 

Error  is  natural  lofollen  man:   he  sets  his  lace  against  truth, 
and  turns  his  back  upon  it  Avith  contempt:  the  more  error  abounds 
with  pride  and  self-sufficiency,  so  much  the  more  is  it  suited  to  our 
corrupt  nature:   hence  we  are  naturally  Pelagians  :  we  cannot  think 
Adam's  sin  has  hurt  us,  or  else  Semipclagians,  though  we  confess 
our  souls  are  wounded  by  Adam's  sin,  yet  we  cannot  think  we  are 
totally  dead  to  God  thereby  ;   but  as  it  were  only  half  dead  :   so  that 
we  still  possess   some  po\Ver  and   ability  to  see  God   and  to  please 
him  if  we  will  but  exert  ourselves.     This  is  the  popular  doctrine  of 
our  day  :   it  tickles  man's  pride  and  keeps  up  his  self  importance. 
Hence  this  dry,  shrivelled,  comment  is  put  upon  our  Lord's  words: 
that  if  we  will  but  stir  up  ourselves  to  seek  God,  possess  our  minds 
with  an  habitual   sense  of  religion,  and  worship  him   in   spirit  and 
truth,  he  then  will  seek  us  and  delight  in  us."  This  is  reading  the 
scriptures  backward :  putting  the  cart  to  draw  the  horse,  and  sup- 
posing an  effect  to  be  productive  of  its  cause :  but  in  opposition  to  this, 
consider,  seeking  implies,  1st.  That  we  are  lost ;   so,  "the  Son  of 
man  came  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost. "....Matt,  xviii.  1 1. 
"  He  was  sent  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel. "....xv.  24. 
Who  ever  heard  of  a  lost  sheep  seeking  alter  its  shepherd?  The 
Father  seeks  us  before  we  seek  him  :   our  seeking  him  is  the  effect 
of  his  finding  us.     Hence  every  member  of  Christ's  church  "  shall 
be  called,   sought  ouT."....Isa.  Ixii.  12.     O  this  endears  the  love  of 
our  Father  to  our  souls  !   2d.   It  implies  his  knowledge  of  us.     What 
he  says  of  Jeremiah  is  true  of  all  his  people  :  "  before  I  formed  thee 
in  the  belly  I  knew  th^e,  and  before  thou  earnest  forth  out  of  the  womb 
I  sanctified   thee,"....Jer.  i.  5.     He   knew   us  from  eternity  in  the 
covenant:   chose  us  in  Christ,  and  sanctified,  or   separated   us  for 
himself  to  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  in  time.     O  this  lays 
us  under  everlasting  obligation  to  love,  adore  and  praise  our  heavenly 
Father !  3d.  Seeking  us,  implies   love  to  us,  and  propriety  in  us. 
Who  seeks  for  that  which  they  set  no  value  upon?    Who  searches 
after  a  person  they  do  not  love  ?  Who  will  take  pains  to  look  for  that 
which  is  not  their  own  property  ?  The  woman  who  had  lost  the  piece 
of  money,  sought  it  diligently,  and  rejoiced  greatly  when  she  had 
found  it ;  for  it  w  as  her  own.     Smile  who  will  at  the  simile,  it  is  just. 
There  is  as  much  disposition  in  a  lost  piece  of  money  to  seek  its 
owner,  as  there  is  in  a  lost  sinner  to  seek  his  God.     Hast  thou  found 
God?  Dost  thou  know  h'm  as  thy  Father?   Uost  thou  worship  him 
in  spirit  and  in  truth?  O,  resolve  it  all  into  his  fatherly  love  in  first 
seeking  thee  :  for  thus  saith  the  Lord,  "  I  am  found  of  them  whe 
sought  me  not."....Isa.  Ixv.  1. 


MARCH  23.  85 

Make  vie  to  hear  joy  and  gladness,  that  the  hones  zchick 
thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. ...Psalm  li.  8. 

Of  all  the  curses  of  sin,  good  Lord  deliver  us  from  Antinomian 
licentiousness,  which  consists,  in  being  so  hardened  by  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  sin,  as  to  make  light  of  it.  Though  David  had  been 
awfully  licentious  in  his  practice,  yet  we  see  the  grace  of  the  saint 
s'line  forth  in  his  brokenness  of  heart,  sorrow  of  soul,  and  contrition 
of  spirit  for  his  sins.  Never  quote  David's  dreadful  fall,  without 
his  deep,  soul-afiected,  heart-broken  sorrow  and  repentance  :  never 
think  of  one  without  the  other  ;  lest  you  think  slightly  of  the  most 
cursed  evil  of  all  evils,  wilful  sin,  against  a  gracious  God.  O,  who 
can  tell  the  horrors  of  soul,  and  terrors  of  conscience  David  felt 
when  he  uttered  these  words  !  Consider  them,  O  my  soul :  the  Lord 
mal:e  sin  more  dreadful  to  thy  view,  and  hateful  in  thy  sight.  1st. 
Spiritual  joy  and  gladness  of  soul  in  the  Lord  hath  forsaken  him  : 
what  had  the  gratifying  his  cursed  lusts,  and  vile  passions  brought 
upon  him  !  A  guilty  conscience,  a  heavy  heart,  and  a  disconsolate 
sovd  :  the  spirit  of  peace  and  joy  was  grieved  at  his  conduct,  and 
withdrawn  from  his  soul :  satan  the  tempter,  was  now  his  accuser  : 
the  ghost  of  Uriah  appeared  to  his  mind  ;  the  thought  of  Bath- 
sheba  brought  hell  into  his  conscience  :  all  within  was  terror :  all 
around  distress,  and  all  above  horror  :  but  the  Lord  had  not  given 
him  up  to  a  reprobate  mind  ;  he  convinced  him  of  sin,  and,  by 
grace,  broke  his  heart  for  it.  Hence,  behold  he  prayeth  :  O  Avas 
it  possiljle  to  recall  the  cursed,  hellish  lust,  and  bloody  deed,  he 
would  rather  have  parted  with  his  crown  and  kingdom  than  ever 
have  committed  them.  What  would  he  not  now  give,  to  hear  the 
joy  of  pardon  from  God,  to  make  glad  his  soul  ?  I'or,  2d.  he  com- 
plains of  broken  bones.  Who  can  describe  the  pains  of  mind  he 
now  felt  ?  A  broken  bone  must  be  extremely  painful  ;  but  he  seems 
to  feel,  as  though  all  the  bones  in  his  body  were  broken  :  Lord  de- 
liver us  from  sin  which  caused  it !  But  why  does  he  ascribe  their 
being  broken  to  God  ?  Did  not  his  fall  cause  it  ?  Yes.  But  he  lay 
many  months,  (as  it  were,)  numbed  by  his  fall,  and  insensible  of 
his  hurt ;  but  God  convinced  him  of  his  sins,  and  quickened  him  to 
feel  pain.  O  ye  fools  who  make  a  mock  of  sin,  see  God  breaks  the 
bones  even  of  his  beloved  saints  lor  it  :  better  to  groan  with  broken 
bones  on  earth,  than  under  damnation  in  hell.  O  think  of  David's 
pains,  and  groans,  under  a  sense  of  sin :  remember  Peter  went  out 
and  wept  bitterly  for  sin  :  see  hence  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin, 
but  forget  not  the  Saviour,  "  whose  precious  blood  cleanseth  from 
ALL  sin."....l  John  i.  7. 

Against  thee  Lord  I  sinned  kave,  O,  let  me  for  thy  mercy  crave, 

.  And  brought  distress  upon  my  soul,        To  heal  my  soul,  and  make  me  whole. 


»6  MARCH   21. 

Thy  loving  kindness  is  before  mine  eyes.... Psalm  xxvi.  3. 

This  causes  a  peaceful  conscience,  a  happy  heart,  and  a  holy 
life.  What  is  meant  by  loving  kindness  ?  It  is  love  expressed  by 
action  :  the  affection  of  the  heart  manifested  by  acts  of  kindness. 
Thus  the  Lord  speaks  of  his  Church  in  general,  and  of  every  indi- 
vidual member  of  it  in  particular:  "  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  ever- 
lasting love.  What  then  ?  This  love  manifests  itself  in  time  thus  : 
"therefore  with  loving  kindness  have  I  drawn  thee."....Jer.  xxxi.  3. 
"  I  will  betroth  thee  unto  me  forever  in  loving  kindness.".. ..Hos. 
ii.  19.  Being  thus  betrothed  and  drawn  to  the  Lord  our  souls  have 
a  sight  and  sense  of  his  loving  kindness  :  Avhat  is  meant  by  its  being 
"  before  our  eyes  ?"  Its  engaging  the  attention  of  our  mind,  captiva- 
ting the  affections  of  our  heart,  seeing  one's  interest  in  it,  feeling 
the  refreshments  of  it,  and  rejoicing  on  account  of  it:  knowing 
there  is  no  separiition  from  it.  Thus  everlasting  love  provides  a 
Saviour,  almighty  grace  draws  poor  sinners  to  him,  and  then  loving 
kindness  becomes  the  glory  of  our  hearts,  and  the  joy  of  our  squls. 
We  love  it  and  meditate  upon  it  ;  we  not  only  see  it,  but  feast  upon 
it,  and  are  astonished  at  it  :  we  cry  out  with  David,  "  thy  loving 
kindness  is  better  than  life  itself. "....Psalm  Ixiii.  3.  For  all  our 
comforts  in  life  flow  from  it :  it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes  :  it  exceeds 
expression  :  is  beyond  conception.  Besides  these  internal  effects 
upon  the  mind,  the  loving  kindness  of  the  Lord,  hath  external 
influence'  upon  the  life  :  David  adds,  "  and  I  have  walked  in  thy 
truth."  Without  this,  all  niight  be  the  flights  of  lowering  passions, 
and  the  sallies  of  a  heated  imagination  :  but  now  all  is  well  with  the 
poor  siimcr  ;  his  heart  is  not  oioly  happy,  but  his  life  is  holy  :  to 
walk  in  the  truth,  is  tt)  walk  contrary  to  the  deceitful  hopes,  lyings 
vanities,  and  carnal  delights  of  the  men  of  this  world  ;  it  is  to  walk 
not  in  self-righteous  confidence,  no  more  than  in  lawless  licentious- 
ness ;  but  in  Christ  who  is  the  truth  :  in  holy  fellowship  with  him, 
humble  dependence  on  him,  growing  love  to  him,  and  longing 
expectation  of  eternally  enjoying  him.  O  Christian,  are  your  sins 
ever  before  you  ?  Let  the  loving  kindness  of  Jehovah,  Father,  Son 
and  Spirit,  ever  be  before  your  eyes  :  this  is  the  glory  of  saints 
above  ;  let  this  be  your  glory  below  ;  for,  "tlnis  saith  the  Lord,  let 
him  that  glorieth,  glory  in  this,  that  he  understandcth  and  knoweth 
me,  that  I  am  the  Loud  which  exercise  loving  kindness,  judgment 
and  righteousness  in  the  earth  :  for  in  these  things  1  delight  saith 
the  Lord."....Jer.  ix.  24. 

My  God !  how  matchless  is  thy  love  ?    It  draws  mine  heart  to  joys  above, 
I'.s  kind;iess  is  before  mine  eyes ;  And  all  th)  holy  ways  to  prize.        M. 


MARCH  25.  87 

Behold  the  skin  of /he  face  of  Moses  shone,  and  Ihcij  were 
(fraid  to  come  nigh  hini....Exod.  xxxiv.  50. 

Here  see  the  gIorio\is  eifect  of  being  on  the  mount  with  God, 
of  having  free  access  to  him,  and  holy  converse  with  him.  When 
we  draw  niglf  to  God  and  he  draws  nigh  to  us,  our  souls  catch  of 
the  splendor  and  glory  of  his  grace  :  thi^  revives  our  countenance 
and  makes  our  face  to  shine  ;  here  is  somewhat  worthy  our  atten- 
tion, for  the  holy  inspirer  calls  upon  us,  behold  :  Lord  give  us  to 
behold  this  to  our  ediiication  and  conifort.  1st.  "  When  Moses 
came  down  from  the  mount,  his  face  shone,  but  he  knev/  it  not:" 
O,  it  is  well  for  us,  when  we  are  so  wholly  taken  up  with  the 
majesty  and  glory  of  our  Lord,  and  see  such  splendor  of  grace  and 
love  shine  on  his  countenance,  as  not  to  be  looking  at  ourselves 
and  admiring  our  own  gifts  and  graces  :  it  is  to  imitate  fops  and 
fribbles  in  nature,  to  look  in  a  glass  to  admire  ourselves  ;  "  to  fall  in 
love  with  one's  own  beauty  is  to  play  the  harlot."... .Ezek.  xvi.  15. 
2d.  Though  Moses  knew  not  that  the  skin  of  his  face  shone,  yet 
others  saw  it  and  were  afraid  to  come  near  him  :  here  behold  the 
glory  and  majesty  of  the  holy  law  of  God  ;  like  the  face  of  Moses, 
it  darts  its  piercing  rays  of  light  and  terror  into  the  consciences  of 
poor  sinners  :  it  works  wrath,  it  fills  the  soul  with  the  knowledge 
of  sin,  the  fear  of  hell,  and  the  dread  of  damnation  :  there  is  a 
glory  in  the  law,  though  it  ministers  nothing  hut  condemnation.  3d. 
The  face  of  Moses  shone  so  that  he  was  forced  to  put  a  vail  on  it 
while  he  was  talking  to  the  people  :  did  such  a  little  of  the  glory  of 
the  law  shine  in  the  face  of  Moses,  but  with  borrowed  splendor 
that  they  could  not  behold  his  face  ?  Then  how  terrifying,  how 
dreadfid  for  sinners  to  stand  before  the  majesty  of  divine  justice, 
and  to  be  arraigned  by  divine  truth,  as  transgressors  of  the  holy 
law  of  God  ?  Who  can  bear  the  thought  \nthout  terror  ?  Who  can 
bear  the  sight  without  death  and  destruction  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord  ?  O,  think  of  the  law  in  all  its  dread  and  terror :  see  sin 
in  all  its  exceeding  sinfullncss  ;  and  consider,  4th.  The  ministration 
of  righteousness  which  exceeds  in  glory  through  the  love  and  grace 
of  our  dear  Mediator  :  we  are  called  to  behold  him,  but  not  with  a 
vail  upon  his  face  :  "  for  we  all  with  open  face  beholding  as  in  a  gflass, 
<he  glory  of  the  Lord.".... 2  Cor.  iii.  18.  5th.  Did  the  Lord  cause 
the  face  of  Moses  thus  to  shine  ?  Eternal  praises  to  him,  "  he  hath 
ahined  in  our  hearts,  to  give  us  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. "....2  Cor.  iv.  6.  In  him 
we  see  the  law  fulfiled,  its  curse  sustained,  our  souls  redeemed 
from  all  its  terror  and  bondage,  and  brought  into  the  glorious  liberty 
of  the  sons  of  God.  "  Ye  are  not  under  the  law  but  under  grace." 
....Rom.  vi.  14. 


88  MARCH  26. 

Il'lien  ye  shall  have  done  all  those  things  which  are  com- 
manded ijou,  say  tee  are  unprofitable  servants :  tee  have 
done  that  zvhich  teas  our  duty  to  do....Lulie  xvii.  10. 

This  is  a  fatal  stab  to  human  merit;  this  a  deadly  blow  to 
sinless  perfection  :  O,  flee  the  notion  of  any  merit  in  thee  or  thy 
works,  as  from  the  face  of  the  devil  ;  it  is  of  the  pride  of  satan  : 
avoid  the  thoiie;ht  of  beini^  perfect  in  thyself  as  thou  -wouldest  the 
most  damnal)le  lie  :  it  ariseth  from  self-deceit  and  is  established 
through  ignorance  of  (iod's  holy  law.  Our  dear  Lord  here  instructs 
us  to  be  active,  yet  humble  ;  to  be  obedient,  yet  self-abased  :  to  do 
all  things,  yet  own  our  unprofitableness  after  all :  beware  you  do 
not  learn  to  decry  that  word  duty  ;  it  is  very  common  for  many  so 
to  do,  as  implying  nothing  but  what  is  legal :  thy  Lord  here  uses  it ; 
be  not  wiser  than  thy  master  :  true  thou  art  freed  from  all  slavish 
duty  and  legal  bondage,  in  order  to  be  justified  and  saved  thereby. 
But  run  not  hence  into  lawless  liberty  ;  thou  art  bound  to  obey  by 
the  love  of  God  thy  Father  :  commanded  to  serve  thy  Saviour  Jesus, 
and  this,  with  the  affections  of  a  dutiful  son,  and  with  the  love  of  a 
sincere  friend.  "  We  serve  the  Lord  Christ,  knowing  that  of  the 
Lord,  we  shall  receive  (as  a  free  gift  of  grace  not  earned  by  duty  and 
works)  the  reward  of  the  inheritance. "....Col.  iii.  24.  The  rule  of 
the  duty  of  love,  are  the  commands  of  the  law  of  love :  the  end 
of  obeying  them  is,  not  to  make  us  righteous :  not  to  exalt  us 
in  our  own  eyes  :  not  to  lay  a  foundation  for,  and  build  ourselves  up 
in  self-righteous  confidence :  No;  says  our  Lord,  after  you  have 
done  all,  renounce  all ;  humble  yourselves  under  all  ;  say  we  are 
unprofitable  servants  in  all.  Well,  but  is  not  this  very  discouraging 
both  to  doing  and  hoping?  Not  to  doing.  The  end  of  that  is  to 
adorn  the  gospel  of  grace,  to  glorify  the  God  of  grace,  to  shew  a 
good  example  to  the  world  and  to  evidence  tiie  faith,  love  and  hope 
of  your  soul  ;  that  you  are  alive  to  God,  and  tliat  these  graces  are 
alive  in  you.  Not  to  hoping.  Do  you  dread  that  sentence  cast  the 
unprofitable  servant  into  outer  darkness  ?....Mat.  xxv.  30.  That  is 
one  who  is  disobedient,  and  to  every  g(X)d  work  reprobate  :  who  is 
a  stranger  to  pure  fliith,  holy  love  and  sincere  obedience.  All  such 
are  Avithout  hope  in  Jesus,  but  unprofitable  as  ye  are,  see,  and 
confess  yourselves  to  be,  and  though  you  havf  no  confidence  in 
yourselves,  or  your  own  doing:  yet  you  are  commanded,  to  rejoice 
in  Christ  Jesus,  "  and  again  rejoice,".... Phil.  iv.  4.  "For  he  of 
God  is  made  unto  us  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification  and 
redemption. "....-I  Cor.  i.  30.  "  And  we  arc  made  perfectly  accepted 
in  bini."....F,phes.  i.  <). 


MARCH  27.  89 

If  w€  live  in  the  Spirit,  let  its  also  walk  in  the  Spirit.... 
Gal.  V.  25. 

These  two  things  the  enemy  of  souls,  works  powerfully 
Rgainst :  1st.  To  keep  sinners  from  coming  to  Christ  for  salvation  : 
2d.  When  they  are  come,  to  prevent  their  enjoying  the  comfortable 
knowledge  that  Christ  is  their  Saviour  :  and  our  own  legal  hearts 
and  wicked  natures,  join  the  enemy  of  our  peace  and  salvation  in 
both  ;  but  love  lives  and  reigns  above  ;  our  Saviour  sees  how  it  is 
with  us,  and  sends  the  power  of  his  Spirit  to  help,  relieve,  and  com- 
fort us  ;  the  dear  Spirit,  when  dead  in  sin  quickens  us  :  then  he 
guides  us  in  our  walk.  What  need  we  then  of  exhortations  ?  Much, 
yery  much  ;  for,  consider,  the  walk  is  ours  :  to  order  our  steps 
aright,  is  by  the  grace  of  the  holy  Spirit.  3d.  Our  comfortable 
enjoyment  of  our  interest  in  Christ,  is  experienced  in  a  holy  walk, 
or  walking  in  the  Spirit :  the  battle  is  the  Lord's.  Yet  David  was 
to  engage  and  conquer  Goliah  ;  "  the  Lord  gave  him  the  victory.".... 
i  Sam.  xvii.  47.  Therefore,  4th.  Exhortations  point  out  our  weak- 
ness, our  need  of  the  Spirit's  help,  and  they  excite  us  to  pray  for  it. 
What  is  it  to  walk  in  the  Spirit?  1st.  It  is  to  mind  the  things  of 
the  Spirit ;  those  spiritual  truths  revealed  in  the  gospel,  concerning 
our  hope  of  eternal  life,  by  the  sin-atoning  death,  and  law-fulfilling 
life  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  it  is  to  set  our  affections  upon  Christ,  seek 
all  our  happiness  in  him,  and  expect  daily  comfort  from  him  ;  to 
make  his  precious  blood  and  everlasting  righteousness  our  constant 
plea,  expecting  the  reviving  sense  of  God  the  Father's  favor  and 
love  to  us,  only  in  him.  2d.  It  is  to  go  forward,  step  by  step,  day 
after  day,  looking  for,  and  depei>ding  on  the  spirit's  assistance,  to 
keep  our  souls  close  to  Jesus,  and  to  maintain  fellowship  with  him  ; 
and  to  shew  that  our  hearts  are  simple  and  sincere,  we  shall  be 
diligent  in  the  means  of  grace,  studious  to  exercise  our  graces  on 
Christ,  and  be  uniform  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty  ;  what  a 
blessed  walk  is  this  1  This  is  the  walk  of  comfort,  peace  and  holi- 
ness ;  do  you  not  find  it  so  ?  Persevere  in  it :  so  will  you  walk  above 
the  accusing  terrors  of  the  law,  the  groveling  life  of  sense,  the 
defiling  life  of  lusts,  the  vain  life  of  worldly  pleasures,  and  the 
distressing  life  of  satan's  power :  wouldst  thou  enjoy  spiritual  com- 
forts ?  These  can  only  be  found  in  a  spiritual  walk  ;  dost  thou  com- 
plain for  want  of  them  ?  Examine  thy  walk  ;  say  not  this  is  legal : 
what !  is  it  legal,  to  follow  the  lamb  wheresoever  he  goeth  ?  Be- 
ware, lest  carnal  notions  prevail,  and  by  living  after  the  flesh  you 
condemn,  what  is  truly  evangelical  and  spiritual :  "  they  who  are 
after  the  Spirit,  do  mind  the  things  of  the  Spirit."... .Rom.  viii.  5. 
Vot.  IL  M 


©0  MARCH  28. 

/  will  sozv  her  to  me  in  llic  earlh^  and  I  xvill  have  mercy 
upon  her  that  had  not  obtained  mercy;  and  I  will  say  to 
them  which  were  not  my  people,  tiiou  art  my  people^  and 
they  shall  say,  thou  art  my  God....Hosea  ii.  23. 

Declarations  of  grace  depend  not  on  the  will  of  the  flesh 
for  their  accomplishment :  sovereign  power,  brings  sovereign  pur- 
poses to  effect ;  human  will  can  neither  forward  nor  frustrate  them  : 
8o  the  Lord  raises  up  and  forms  a  people  for  his  own  glory  on  earth, 
and  the  redeemer's  crown  in  heaven  :  see  the  process  of  it.  1  st.  I 
■WILL  sow  HER  ;  this  alludes  to  the  v.ord  Jezreel  in  the  last  verse 
which  signifies  the  seed  of  God  ;  God's  people  are  his  own  precious 
seed  ;  he  sows  them  in  the  earth.  2d.  Unto  me  as  they  are  sown 
by  him,  they  spring  up  unto  him  :  though  they  lie  long  under  the 
clods  of  nature's  darkness  and  corruption,  and  for  a  while  spring  up 
only  to  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil,  yet  there  is  a  set  time  to 
favor  them  ;  a  fixed  day  of  power  to  come  upon  them  :  men  do  not 
sow  their  precious  seed,  and  care  no  more  about  it  ;  neither  doth 
the  Lord.  For,  3d.  I  will  have  merct  upon  her,  who  had 
NOT  obtained  mercy.  His  eye  of  care  preserves,  till  his  day 
of  mercy  comes  j  It  is  as  impossible  for  an  elect  redeemed  soul 
to  perish  without  mercy,  as  for  the  truth  of  God  to  fail :  "  it  is 
inipossible  for  God  to  lie."....Heb.  vi.  18.  The  truth  of  God  is  the 
joy  of  faith  :  Paul,  though  exceeding  mad  against  Christ  obtained 
mercy  from  him  ;  the  thief  on  the  cross  obtained  mercy  at  the  last 
hour.  Your  soul,  mine,  and  every  soul  that  is  called,  converted 
and  justified  by  the  faith  of  Christ,  obtains  this  from  mere  mercy, 
just  in  the  same  way  ;  because  justice  is  satisfied  by  Christ ;  mercy 
flows  from  God  through  him,  to  us.     4th.   I   will    sat  to  them 

WHICH  WERE  NOT   MY  PEOPLE,    THOU  ART  MY  PEOPLE.       God'S   VoicC 

of  love  comes  to  us,  his  grace  challenges  us,  his  power  apprehends 
us,  before  we  apprehend  him  ;  we  are  children  of  wrath  by  nature  ; 
we  are  at  enmity  against  God,  and  fly  from  God  :  but  the  good 
shepherd  seeks  us  ;  he  clainis  us  as  his  own  sheep  ;  as  the  gift  of 
his  Father  ;  as  the  purchase  of  his  blood  :  he  manifests  himself  to 
\is,  and  gives  us  faith  in  his  name.  Then,  5th.  they  shall  say 
Thou  art  my  God,  my  God!  O,  how  much  is  contained  in  this  ! 
Now  there  is  peace  in  the  conscience,  love  in  the  heart,  and  joy  in 
the  soul ;  the  sinner  can  never  be  happy,  till  he  tlius  appropriates 
the  Lord  to  himself:  then  the  soul  is  inspired  with  a  holy  loving 
fear,  and  excited  to  a  cheerful  walk  ;  a  hope  full  of  immortality  is 
in  the  heart :  this  is  ever  in  the  eye,  "  all  is  of  God  who  hath  recon- 
ciled us  unto  himself  by  Jesus  Christ.".. ..2  Cor.  v.  18. 


MARCH  29.  91 

Cease  yc  from  man  whose  brealh  is  hi  his  nostrils y  for 
ivherein  is  he  to  be  accounted  ofK...lsa.  \\.  22, 

This  precious  text  our  dear  Lord  preached  to  my  heart  day 
after  day,  upwards  of  twenty  years  ago,  when  it  first  pleased  him 
to  make  mc  happy  in  his  love  :  though  not  then,  yet  I  have  since 
seen  abundant  cause  for  it.  That  soul  is  in  good  health  that  can  say, 
I  am  sick  of  sin,  sick  of  men,  and  sick  of  myself:  the  Lord  is 
teaching  us  this  lesson  day  after  day :  it  is  a  hard  one  to  flesh  and 
blood ;  for  we  are  naturally  prone  to  look  to,  trust  in  and  depend 
upon  an  arm  of  flesh:  but  this  is  to  depart  in  heart  from  the  Lord: 
a  curse  is  denounced  upon  this....Jer.  xvii.  5.  Consider  man's  breath 
is  in  his  nostrils:  the  best  of  men  are  subjects  of- sin  and  liable  to 
the  stroke  of  death.  The  breath  that  promises  you  great  things  to- 
day, ere  to-morrow's  dawn  may  be  vanished  into  air,  and  all  your 
hopes  blasted.  The  arm  of  flesh  which  to-day  is  strong  and  stretched 
forth  in  your  service,  to-morrow  may  be  stiff  in  death,  ail  your 
expectations  buried  in  the  grave  of  despair,  and  you  left  in  disap- 
pointment and  vexation:  whereof  is  man  to  be  accounted?  In  his 
best  estate  he  is  altogether  vanity.  "  Cease  yc  from  man,"  yea, 
from  professors  too:  you  are  in  danger  of  being  hurt  by  them  also  : 
I  have  and  therefore  speak  from  experience.  Here  is  our  danger  : 
we  are  apt  to  think  too  highly  of  ministers  and  professors:  even 
Paul,  cautions  against  this,  "  lest  any  man  should  think  of  me  above 
that  which  he  seeth  me  to  be. "....2  Cor.  xii.  6.  Vou  entertain  a  very 
high  opinion  of  such-an-one;  perhaps  you  may  soon  see  something 
in  him  you  little  expected  :  you  are  stumbled,  you  get  into  reason- 
ing  ;  he  falls  away  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel,  (how  many  awful 
instances  have  I  known,  both  of  eminent  ministers  and  great  pro- 
fessors I)  you  arc  staggered,  you'know  not  what  to  think:  up  comes 
Mr.  Devil  wiih,  ah!  you  sec  it  is  all  a  delusion:  give  all  up  ;  follow 
the  gospel  no  longer.  But  om*  Loiii  would  have  our  hearts  simply 
looking  to  him,  therefore  he  bids  us  "cease  from  man."  He  is  ihe 
only  precious  man,  we  are  never  to  cease  from:  in  him  there  is 
none  occasion  of  stumbling  ;  he  is  a  perfkct  man;  fix  your  eye 
steadily  upon  him ;  seek  all  your  perfection  in  him  ;  look  for  all 
your  comforts  from  hiui  ;  cease  fiom  yourself;  avoid  all  self-confi- 
dence ;  flee  all  self-complacency  :  cease  from  self-righteous,  vain- 
glorious, self-deceived  liars,  who  say  they  are  perfect  and  have  no 
9in  in  them.  Ever  look  at,  ever  glory  in  that  dear  man  in  whom  we 
are  perfect,  '' presented  to  the  Father,  holy,  unblameable  and 
unreprovable  in  hb  sight.".. ..Col.  i.  22. 

We're  prone  alas!  to  trust  in  man,  Convince  us  of  this  foolish  plan, 

And  from  our  Goddei>art,  Lord  take  and  keep  our  h«art. 


92  MARCH  30. 

Jf  xve  walk  in  the  light  as  he  is  in  the  light,  we  have  fd' 
lowship  one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
his  Son  deanseth  us  from  all  sin....  \  John  i.  7. 

The   walk  of  many  professors  seems  to  speak  this  languaj^p, 
vhy  cannot  we  love  the  world,  indulge  ourselves  in  the  ways  of  it, 
and  yet  enjoy  fellowship  with  God  ?  Now  we  have  clear  notions  of 
the  doctrines  of  grace,  of  acceptance  with  God,  and  justification 
before   him,  why  need  we  be  so  very  precise  in  our  conduct?   As 
though  they  were  desirous  to  walk  as  near  as  possible  to  the  very 
borders  of  hell,  and  yet  hope  to  get  safe  to  heaven  at  last :   such 
■walk  not  in  the  light  of  truth ;  in  the  comforts  of  love ;   in  fellowship 
with  God.      1st.  What  is  fellowship  with  God?   It  is  a  sweet  heart- 
felt concord,  harmony  and  agreement  between  God  and  our  souls: 
a  mutual   communion  of  spirits  ;  a  free  communication  from  the 
Lord  to  us,  and  from  us  to  the  Lord:  just  as  two  loving  friends  have 
between   each  other,  as  though  but  one  soul  possessed  them  both. 
Lord,  to  what  a  high,  holy  and   honorable  state  are  we  miserable 
sinners  admitted:  eternal  thanks  to  thee,  O  Jesu,  through  whom 
we  are  admitted  ;  and  to  thee,  O  Holy  Spirit,  who  hast  formed  iis 
for  the  enjoyment  of  this  inestimable  blessing.     Lord  grant  we  may 
prize  this  sweet  fellowship  above   all  things,  yea  above  life  itself; 
for  what  is  life  without  it?  2d.  How  is  it  enjoyed?  By  walking  in 
the  light:  God  dwelleth  in  the  light.     We  must  walk  where  God  is 
to  have   fellowship  with    him.     Christ   is   the    light:   God  is  ii> 
Christ :  by  faith  in  Christ  wc  walk  with  God,  and  have  fellowship 
with  him.     Here  the  Father  is  well   pleased  with  us,  and  we  with 
him:  we  communicate  to  him  our  wants:   he  communicates  to  us 
every  rich  supply  out  of  the  fulness  of  Christ.     Christ  shines  in  the 
light  of  truth:  in  every  doctrine  which  flows  from  him  a«d  centers, 
in  him.     Are   we  loved,  elected,    called,  justified,  sanctified,  and 
preserved  unto  salvation?  It  is  in  him:  we  are  to  walk  in  that  faith 
which  workcth  by  the  love  of  these  truths,  worketh  love  to  them, 
and  to  God  for  them ;  and  this  faith  and  love  is  contrary  to  all  the 
darkness  of  sin   and  error.     Christ  the  light  shines  in  every  com- 
mand of  his:   faith  receives  them:  in  love  wc  obey  and  walk  in  them: 
but  though  we  walk  in  the  light  yet  sin  dwelleth  in  us.     W'hat  then? 
This  need  not  distress  us;  for  3d.  As  sure  as  we  have  fellowship 
with  God,  "  the  blood  of  Jesus  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin." 
Did  it  cleanse  us  yesterday?   So  it  will  to-day,  to-morrow  and  to  the 
end  of  life.     Who  shall  dare  to  set  bounds  to  the  cleansing  virtue  of 
the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God?  No  sin  too  great,  no  sinner  too  vile 
for  this  precious  blood  to  cleanse.     The  chief  of  all  sinners  speaks 
from  experience  ;  let  no  one  despair:  for  we  sinners  "have  bold- 
ness to  enter  into  God's  presence  by  the  blood  of  Jesus. "....Heb. 
X.  19. 


MARCH  31.  9* 

Return  ye  backsliding  children,  and  I  will  lie al  your  back- 
slidings...Jer.  iii.  22. 

BACKSLiniNG  is  a  species  of  apostacy  from  the  faith  ;  apostacy 
is  the  hi^Ii  road  to  destruction:  total  apostacy  will  certainly  end  in 
eternal  damnation  ;  for  there  can  neither  be  repentance  or  hope,  for 
such  a  soul.  The  Son  of  Ciod  is  the  only  sacrifice  for  sin  ;  this  he 
once  professed  to  believe  :  but  now  he  tramples  on  his  precious 
blood,  wilfully  despises  and  rejects  our  Saviour  ;  so  that  now  he  has 
only  "  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment,  and  fiery  indigna- 
tion, which  shall  devour  every  adversary  of  Christ. "....Hcb.  x.  26. 
Most  stricking  is  the  picture  of  such  drawn  by  Mr.  liunyan,  in  his 
Pilgrim's  Progress,  as  a  man  in  an  iron  cage  who  thus  confesses  ; 
'•  I  was  once  a  fair  and  flourishing  professor,  both  in  mine  own  eyes 
and  the  eyes  of  others  ;  I  was  as  I  thought,  fair  for  the  celestial 
city,  and  had  even  joy  at  the  thoughts  that  I  should  get  thither ; 
but  I  left  off  to  watch  and  be  sober;  laid  the  reigns  upon  the  neck  of 
my  lusts;  I  sinned  against  the  light  of  the  word  and  the  goodness 
of  my  (k)d  ;  I  grieved  the  Spirit  and  he  is  gone  ;  I  tempted  the 
devil  and  he  is  come  to  me  ;  I  provoked  God  to  anger  and  he  has 
left  me  ;  I  have  so  hardened  my  heart  that  I  cannot  repent.  O, 
eternity  !  eternity !  How  shall  I  grapple  with  the  misery  I  must 
meet  with  in  eternity  !"  Lord  enable  me  to  take  Avarning  by  others, 
and  obey  thy  gracious  words,  which  prevent  thy  childrens  total 
apostacy  from  thee.  Observe,  1st.  The  conduct  of  the  Lord  to 
such  ;  he  arraigns  them  in  the  former  verses.  1st.  Of  treacher- 
ously departing  from  him,  like  a  wife  from  her  husband  :  O,  what 
perfidious  faithless  conduct !  For,  2d.  It  brings  on  perverting  our 
■way  before  God,  and  3d.  This  ends  in  forgetting  the  Lord  our  (iod ; 
this  is  the  cause  of  every  evil.  If  the  objects  of  time  and  sense 
drive  the  memory  of  the  Lord  from  our  minds,  though  but  an 
hour,  how  foolish  do  we  act  !  Our  hearts  imperceptibly  backslide 
from  the  sense  of  his  presence  :  but  O,  the  love  of  our  lord !  He  re- 
minds us,  1st.  Though  backsliden,  yet  he  owns  us  as  children. 
O  Father  thy  love  ever  lives,  though  folly  is  in  our  ways.  2d.  He 
calls  in  love,  return  :  may  love  cause  us  to  take  shame,  fall  down 
in  sorrow  and  cry  for  mercy.  For,  3d.  He  promises,  "  I  v.ill  heal 
your  backslidings  :"  I  will  freely  and  fully  pardon  them  all,  though 
ever  so  numerous,  heinous  or  aggravating,  as  though  they  had  never 
been  committed.  Backsliding  sinner  !  believe  and  rejoice  ;  sec  the 
effects  of  this  love  in  the  next  meditation :  O  Lord,  my  God,  lighten 
mine  eyes  lest  I  sleep  the  sleep  of  death....Psalm  xiii.  3. 

I've  nought  to  plead  but  thy  free  grace,      Grant  me  to  see  thy  smiling  face, 
Which  docs  in  Christ  abound  :  With  mercy  circled  round. 


94  APRIL    1. 

Behold  ive  come  unio  ihce.for  thou  art  the  Lord  our  God..., 
Jtr.  iii.  2'2. 

Petkr  was  an  awful  backslider ;  Ms  crimes  deserved  hell  ;  so 
do  yours  and  mine  :  both  he  and  we,  should  be  sent  there,  if  love 
did  not  reign  in  heaven,  and  grace  abound  to  sinners  on  earth  :  one 
look  of  love  from  Christ  broke  Peter's  heart,  made  him  weep  bit- 
terly, and  return  to  a  crucified  Saviour  earnestly.  A  bone  broken 
and  set,  is  stronger  than  it  was  before  :  this  I  am  sure  of,  a  heart 
broke  by  forgiving  love,  grows  stronger  in  love.  Having  much  for- 
given, we  love  much  ;  I  have  often  thought  fresh  love  added  speed 
to  Peter's  feet,  when  he  run  to  the  sepulchre  to  see  his  dear,  his  cru- 
cified Lord.... John  xx.  4.  See  the  happy  effects  of  loving  speeches 
and  gracious  words  from  a  loving  Lord.  We  saw  the  backsliding 
children  arraigned,  and  their  conduct  condemned  in  our  last  medita- 
tion ?  What  was  the  sentence  passed  on  them  ?  Was  it,  "  go  ye 
cursed  vile  wretches,  ye  have  gone  from  me  in  your  ways,  now  I 
will  be  glorified  in  your  damnation!"  No:  break  hard  heart  ;  melt 
()  frozen  soul  ;  bow  stubborn  knee,  and  be  as  sinews  of  a  new 
born  babe  ;  for  love  everlasting ;  immutable  love  lives  ;  sovereign 
unmerited  grace  proclaims  return  ye  backsliding  children, 
(children  still!  O  matchless  grace!)  and  I  will  heal  tour  back- 
sLiDiNGs.  What  say  gracious  hearts  to  this?  Do  they  reply!  >'  O 
this  is  fine  doctrine!"  Come  let  us  continue  to  goon,  to  enjoy  the 
world  and  sin,  and  delight  oui'selves  in  our  happy  distance  from 
God.  O  no:  this  is  the  language  of  hell-born^  free-will  pride; 
if  left  to  that  so  they  would  act ;  but  a  spark  of  free  grace  within  us, 
catches  fire  from  gracious  words  Avithout  and  therefore  it  is,  hehold, 
see  the  effects  of  the  Lord's  rich  grace  and  precious  love  ;  like  fire 
it  melts  down  our  hard  hearts,  makes  us  lament  our  base  conduct : 
affects  us  with  the  deepest  sense  of  sin  :  inspires  our  souls  with  a 
hope  of  rnercy  and  assurance  of  pardon,  and  therefore,  "  we  come 
unto  thee."  Here  we  see  the  actings  of  a  holy  faith  in  the  heart . 
it  works  by  love :  by  the  loving  declarations  of  a  gracious  Father' 
and  dear  redeemer :  it  works  love  in  the  heart,  and  it  works  by  love 
in  returning  to  God  ;  and  here  is  the  joyful  claim  of  faith  ;  "  for, 
O  precious  cause  !  for  thou  art  the  Lord  our  God  :  was  it  not  so? 
thou  couldst  never  have  borne  with  our  vile  conduct :  never  had  a 
thought  of  mercy,  nor  a  look  of  love  towards  us.  O,  let  covenant 
love  and  faithfulness  ever  bind  our  hearts  to  thee,  that  we  may  never 
more  depart  from  thee  ;  pervert  our  way  before  thee,  or  ever  forget 
thee,  O  Jehovah,  I'atlier,  Son  and  Spirit,  our  one  God  in  Jesus. 

When  we  the  sacred  truth  bebeve,        Our  souls  to  him  return  and  live, 
Of  God'i  great  love  in  Christ,  And  ihus,  by  ^nct,  we're  blest. 


APRIL  2.  95 

Ungodly  men  tvho  turn  the  grace  of  God  Into  lascivwusness. 
...Jude  4. 

From  what  the  bee  extracts  honey,  venemous  insects  will  poison. 
The  word  of  God,  which  is  food  to  gracious  hearts,  is  the  sport  and 
contempt  of  profane  wits.  An  ungodly  heart  will  convert  the  most 
wholesome  truths  of  God's  grace,  into  the  most  poisonous  effects  : 
there  ever  were  such  men :  there  are  such  at  this  day,  who  hold  forth 
some  of  the  most  precious  truths  concerning  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  the 
grace  of  God  abounding  to  sinners  in  him,  and  yet  with  these  main- 
tain the  most  damnable  heresies.     They  are  the  fools  \v\\o  make  a 

mock  at  sin." Prov.  xiv.  9.     Personal  holiness,  they  hold  in  the 

greatest  derision  :  they  declare  their  sin  as  Sodoni ;  say  unto  the 
wicked  it  shall  be  well  with  him  :  tush,  the  Lord  careth  not  about 
our  walk  and  life :  if  we  have  lusts  better  gratify  them  than  burn  with 
them;  and  they  swallow  up  every  unscriptural  error,  in  that  damna- 
ble heresy,  all  men  shall  be  saved  at  the  last :  one  scarcely  knows 
M'hich  to  wonder  at  most,  why  such  persons  should  preach  at  all,  or 
why  any  who  name  the  name  of  Christ  can  hear  them:  but  scrip- 
ture must  I)e  fulfilled;  "There  shall  come  in  the  last  days  scoffers 
walking  after  their  own  lusts."... .2  Pet.  iii.  3.  I  never  knew  but  one 
instance  of  a  person  who  had  joined  himself  to  these  vile  Antinomi- 
ans,  that  escaped  from  their  soul  destroying  doctrines.  My  soul 
rejoiced  exceedingly,  for  a  visit  from  this  aged  disciple  of  Jesus, 
who  through  his  precious  grace  is  brought  back  into  the  ways  of 
truth  and  holiness.  When  the  preacher  asked  him  why  he  had  left 
him  ?  he  honestly  answ  erd,  "  Were  I  to  hear  you  now,  I  should  be 
almost  ready  to  fill  my  pockets  with  stones  and  stone  you  ;  for  you 
had  well  nigh  sent  me  to  hell,  with  a  lie  in  my  right  hand."  O 
brethren,  as  you  love  the  holy  Jesus,  as  you  value  your  precious 
souls,  as  you  prize  communion  with  God,  peace  of  conscience,  and 
joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  beware  of  such  ungodly  men  ;  keep  at  the 
greatest  distance  from  them  ;  maintain  tiie  utmost  abhorrence  of  their 
hellish  notions :  why,  O  why  did  the  blessed  Spirit  convince  us  of  sin, 
and  lead  us  to  Christ  for  salvation  ;  but  that  we  should  love  God, 
delight  in  God,  enjoy  feilowship  with  God,  have  no  more  to  do  with 
the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness  ;  but  walk  before  him  in  righteous- 
ness and  true  holiness  all  the  days  of  our  life.  Be  assured,  if  your 
faith  does  not  influence  you  to  this,  it  is  not  the  faith  of  the  holj 
gospel,  not  a  faith  in  a  holy  Jesus,  it  dots  not  work  hy  the  love  of 
him,  but  is  the  faith  of  the  ungodly,  whose  end  is  destruction.... 
Phil.  iii.  ly. 

Faith  without  love's  an  empty  dream.  Grant  me,  O  Lord,  renewing  grace. 

It  conquers  not  the  povvVof  sia  ;  Qiiitken  my  soul  from  day  to  day, 

To  live,  the  soul  has  but  a  name,  'I'o  walk  in  love  before  thy  face  ; 

If  Jesus  reigncth  not  within.  And  raind-not  what  ih'  ungodly  say.  M. 


t'6  APRIL   5. 

l.ct  God  be  true,  but  every  man  a  liar. ...Bom.  iii.  4. 

I  HAVE  read  of  one  who  was  diinib  ;  but  on  seeing;  a  vidlent 
attempt  to  murder  his  father,  cried  out  with  great  vehemence,  my 
father,  when  his  heavenly  Father's  truth  and  faithfulness  arc 
attacked,  Paul  could  not  be  mute  ;  fired  with  a  holy  emotion  of 
spirit,  he  cries  out,  "let  (iod  be  true.  A'ain  arrogant  man,  will 
you  dare  oppose  your  carnal  reasonings,  and  fallacious  arguments, 
against  the  covenant  purposes,  faithful  word,  and  precious  promises 
of  the  Lord  ?  Every  such  man,  be  he  ever  so  noble,  mighty,  wise 
and  learned,  is  a  liar  :  Paul's  heart  was  too  warm  -vvith  zeal  for  the 
plory  of  his  God,  to  pay  any  soft  compliment  to  those  who  act  under 
the  influence  of  the  father  of  lies.  The  keen  satire  of  Mr.  Pope 
is  admirably  adapted  to  such, 

Snatch  from  his  hand  the  balance  and  the  rod, 

Rejiidge  his  justice,  be  the  God  of  God! 

In  raas'ning  pride  (my  friendj  our  error  lies; 

All  quit  their  sphere,  and  rush  into  the  skies. 

Christian,  lay  aside  thy  carnal  reason  ;  take  up  thy  Lord's  word  r 
exercise  thy  faith  upon  it :  thou  art  called  to  be  valiant  for  the  truths 
of  a  faithful,  covenant-making,  and  covenant-keeping  God.  Timid 
silence  is  criminal,  when  your  Father's  truth  is  arraigned,  and  his 
glory  at  stake.  Know  thou  hast  much  within  thee,  and  many 
around  thee,  in  combination  to  oppose  the  mystery  of  godliness  ; 
God  manifest  in  the  flesh,  to  bring  salvation  to  miserable  sinners, 
and  God's  faithfulness  engaged  to  make  this  effectual,  by  his  sover- 
eign grace,  in  spite  of  all  the  unfaithfulness  of  man  :  Mr.  Carnal- 
reason  says,  how  can  these  things  be  ?  Mr.  high-thoughts  exalts 
himself  against  them  ;  Mr.  free-will  refuses  to  submit  to  them  ; 
Mr.  unbelief  pronounces  them  impossible  to  be  true  ;  Mr.  self- 
love  declares  against  subjection  tr  them;  Mr.  human-pride  cries 
away  with  them,  totally  reject  them  ;  And  Mr.  self-righteousness 
cries  them  down  as  leading  to  licentiousness.  These  are  all  profess- 
ed judges  of  divinity,  but  in  reality  are  lying  adversaries  against 
your  Lord's  truth  and  faithfulness,  and  your  peace,  comfort  and  ho- 
liness: abide  by  what  is  written:  oppose  God's  truth,  to  all  their 
lying  suggestions  :  be  simple  of  heart.  Let  simple  faith  prevail. 
Feed  by  faith  upon  God's  truth,  and  you  shall  prosper,  while  others 
cavil  against  it  and  grow  lean.  Hold  fast,  "  the  hope  of  eternal  life 
which  God  who  cannot  lie,  promised  (to  Christ  Jesus  as  our  cove- 
nant head,  and  that  we  should  enjoy  it  in  him)  before  the  world 
began."....Tit.  i.  2. 

Thy  sacred  truth  shall  live  and  reign,  The  truth  of  Jesus  is  my  joy, 

O  God.  within  my  heart,  The  source  of  all  my  peace  : 

In  r.pite  of  boasting,  lying  man,  In  this  111  walk,  though  foes  annoy, 

.  And  all  his  trcach'rous  art,  'Till  thou  my  soul  release.             M- 


APRIL  4.  97 

B\f faith  Moses  forsook  Egi/pt,   not  fearing  the  wrath  of 
the  king....Heb.  xi.  27. 

Here  we  see  faith  opposed  by  fear,  and  the  victory  of  faith 
•ver  the  dread  of  wrath.  Consider  his  work  and  his  danger,  hiR 
faith  and  his  safety.  1  st.  Moses  was  engaged  in  a  great  work  ; 
he  was  to  go  to  Pharoah,  and  say  from  the  Lord,  "  Israel  is  my  son, 
even  my  first  born,  let  him  go  that  he  may  serre  me."....Exod.  iv. 
22,  23.  Now  might  not  the  king  very  naturally  look  upon  Moses 
as  a  very  dangerous,  pestilent,  hot-hc^ded  enthusiast,  who  under 
a  pretence  of  religion  wanted  to  raise  a  rebellion  in  his  kingdom  ;  he 
had  no  fear  that  the  king  might  put  him  to  death  in  his  wrath  ;  "  for 
the  wrath  of  a  king,  is  as  the  roaring  of  a  Iion."....Prov.  xix.  12. 
Most  terribly  fierce  :  but,  2d.  Consider  his  faith;  this  set  him 
above  fear.  He  bids  defiance  to  wrath.  Forsake  Egypt  he  must ; 
flee  from  the  king  he  was  determined ;  for  he  had  the  command  of 
his  God  for  it.  Faith  is  the  parent  of  all  holy  obedience ;  but  was 
his  faith  nothing  more  than  a  strong  impulse  of  his  mind,  some- 
thing within  him  which  suggested  to  him  that  he  must  forsake 
Egypt?  No:  this  he  might  have  had,  and  obeyed  it  too  to  his 
own  destruction ;  but  he  had  the  Lord's  word,  for  the  ground  of  his 
faith:  mind  this.  "Thus  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  send  thee  unto 
Pharoah,  that  thou  mayest  bring  my  people  out  of  Egypt:"  there 
is  the  word  of  his  faith.  3d.  'Consider  his  safety.  Pharoah  could 
not  hurt  the  hair  of  his  head:  why  not?  Because  the  Lord  added, 
"certainly  I  will  be  with  thee."....Exod.  iii.  12.  There  is  the 
warrant  for  his  safety  :  thus  he  believed  God,  and  feared  not  the 
wrath  of  the  king. 

See  here  the  nature  and  actings  of  a  true  and  lively  faith.  1st.  It 
iiath  the  word  of  the  Lord  for  its  object.  There  may  be  strong  im- 
pressions of  mind,  warm  suggestions  of  fancy,  where  there  is  not, 
thus  saith  the  Lord.  Soul,  these  will  not  carry  thee  out  of  the 
Egypt  of  nature,  to  the  promised  land;  they  will  soon  forsake  thee: 
then,  thou  wilt  not  only  fear  the  wrath  of  a  king,  but  the  shaking 
of  a  leaf.  2d.  Faith  in  the  Lord's  word  delivers  the  soul  from  fear 
of  the  Lord's  enemies;  according  to  the  strength  of  our  faith,  we 
are  set  above  fears  of  wrath;  we  canivjt  have  stronger  cause  for  faith 
than  the  Lord's  word,  nor  a  better  object  for  our  faith  than  the  Son 
of  God.  O  then,  when  fear  of  wrath  prevails,  look  unto  Jesus 
the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith,  with  Lord  increase  my  faith.... 
Luke  xvii.  5. 

"  Wh6re  is  your  faith  ?"   our  Saviour    Thou  author  of  our  faith,  increase 
"  Believe  and  honor  me."        [cries,      The  gift  which  thou  hast  giv'n, 

Our  foolish  reas'ning  heart  replies,        So  shall  we  find  thy  precious  peace, 
Christ's  joys  are  not  for  me.  The  antapas:  of  heav'n.  M- 

Vol.  II.  N 


08  yVPRlL    5. 

Incline  your  car y  and  come  unto  me  i  hear  and  your  soiil 
shall  live. ...ha.  Iv.  3. 

Some  cannot  bear  exhortations  to  be  used,  either  to  saints  or 
sinners.     O  dear,  they  sound  so  legal  in  their  ears,  they  arc  quite 
surfeiting  to  them;  but  why?    Truly  they  arc  got  to  be  wise  above 
what  is  written  ;  but  they  proclaim  their  folly  in  condemning  the  con- 
duct of  Christ,  and  his  Spirit   in  the  prophets  and  apostles ;  they 
have  most  need  of  exhortations  who  see  least  cause  for  them:    be 
not  high  minded,  but  fear.     A  Chinese  philosopher  asserted,  that 
a  man  had  three  ears,  one  different  from  those  two  which  are  seen  ; 
this  was  counted  a  great  absurdity;   but  it  holds  true  in  a  spiritual 
sense,  for  naturally  we  have   ears,  but  hear  not :    the  hearing  ear 
the  Lord  hath  made."....Prov.  xx.  12.     This  Christ  calls  for;  "  In- 
cline your  ear."     Just  as  sentenced  rebels  and  condemned  malefac- 
tors, be  all  ear  to  a  sound  of  mercy  and  a  proclamation   of  a   re- 
prieve from  me.     Though  your  hearts  are  bowed  down  under  a  sense 
of  your  lusts  and  corruptions,  your  consciences  burdened  with  guilt, 
your  minds  pained  with  fears,  and  your  spirits  dejected  with  sorrows ; 
yet  listen  not  to  the  suggestions  of  satan,  the  intimations  of  carnal 
reason,  or  the  surmises   of  your  legal  spirits  ;    but  turn  away  your 
ear  from  all  to  me.     O,  it  is  precious  living,  thus  to  hear  the  voice 
of  Christ  I  but  this  call  from  Christ  carries    conviction  with  it,  that 
we  do  not  enough  incline  our  ear  to  him  ;  therefore  we  are  not  always 
happy  in  him.    Sweet  invitation  I  "Come  unto  me."  "  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day   and  forever. "....Heb.  xiii.  8.     His  love 
is  the  same ;  his  words  arc  the  very  same  to  poor  sinners,  whether 
lie  speaks  by  his  prophets,  or  by  himself  in  flesh:   his  loving  heart 
proclaims,  "come  unto  me,  all  yc  that  labour  and  arc  heavy  laden, 
and  I  will  give  you  rest. "....Matt.  xi.  28.     Come  under  all  your  load 
•of  guilt,  weight  of  dejection,  and  burden  of  sorrow;  Christ  gives 
lis  to  feel  all  this,  that  we  may  see  our  want  of  him,  come  to  him, 
and  enjoy  fellowship  with  him.    Never  misconstrue  your  so\il-burdens 
and  spiritual  distress,  as  black  marks  upon  you  ;  they  are  love-tokens 
from  him  who  says,  "hear  and  your  souls  shall  live;"  not  only  live, 
but  be  lively  ;   not  barely  live,  but  enjoy  the  vigor  of  life,  the  com- 
forts of  life,  and  bring  forth  abundantly  the  fruits  of  spiritual  life. 
All   this   is  by  hearing  the   voice   of  Christ,  believing  the  love    of 
Christ,  and  living  upon  the  fulness  of  Christ.     "  See  then  yc  refuse 
not  him  who  speaketh  from  heaven.".. ..Heb.  xii.  25. 

Holy  prince  of  peace  ami  love,  Thou  wonldst  have  us  happy  be. 

Thou  who  callest  from  above,  I"  the  faith  and  love  of  thee  : 

Give  the  power  to  obey  Cause  our  souls  to  turn  away, 

Thy  sweet  voice,  and  coine  to  thee.  From  all  sin  and  vanity.  M. 


APRIL    6.  99 

Thy  God  reign€th....Isa.  lii.  7. 

Christ  commissions  his  minrsters  to  proclaim  this  joyful  truth 
to  Zion,  his  church,  that  every  member  of  his  might  receive  it  in 
faith,  change  the  pronoun  and  say,  my  God  rcignetli :  Christ's  reign 
is  his  people's  glory,  their  triumph  on  earth,  and  the  shouts  of  dis- 
embodied saints  in  glory  :  hark  to  their  acclamations  of  joy  ;  "alle- 
luia, for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  rcigncth,  let  us  be  glad  and 
rejoice  and  give  honor  to  him,  for  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb  is 
come.".«.Rev.  xix.  6,  7.  Are  we  married  to  the  Lamb?  Has  he  got 
our  hearts  and  affections  ?  Then  we  should  constantly  rejoice  and 
give  honor  to  him,  that  he  wlio  is  our  God  rcignetli.  Where  ? 
Where  he  dwells  in  heaven  for  us,  and  in  our  hearts  over  us  ;  for 
as  he  dwells  in  our  hearts  by  faith,  he  spiritually  reigns  over  all 
within  us.  O,  what  matter  of  joy  and  consolation  is  this  !  For,  1  st. 
If  our  King  has  set  up  his  throne  in  our  hearts,  wliat  enemy  can 
hurt  us?  They  must  conquer  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  before  they 
can  subdue  us.  If  Christ  reign  for  us,  and  in  us,  we  are  sure  of 
reigning  eternally  in  glory  with  him.  2d.  Consider  his  rich  grace  in 
thus  reigning:  we  were  once  under  the  reign  of  a  dreadful  tyrant. 
"Sin  reigned  in  and  over  us  unto  death.".. ..Rom.  v.  21.  Though 
we  have  sin  in  our  nature,  though  it  warreUi  in  our  members,  yet 
it  cannot  reign  and  gel  the  victory  over  us.  It  is  under  the  feet  of 
Christ:  it  is  his  vanquished  enemy :  he  reigns  over  it:  we  are  under 
the  reign  of  his  grace:  "grace  reigns  thro»igh  righteousness  unto«.. 
what  ?  present  peace,  comfort  and  joy  ?  Yes,  and  infinitely  more, 
even  unto  eternal  life  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."  Is  sin  our  grief 
and  burden?  That  is  a  proof  that  Christ  reigns  in  our  hearts.  Da 
we  long  for  perfect  freedom  from  all  sin  ?  That  is  a  sign  that  we  are 
partakers  of  his  holiness.  Are  we  afraid  sin  will  destroy  us  in  death  ? 
It  cannot :  Jesus  reigns  to  give  us  victory  unto  eternal  life.  3d.  Be- 
hold Jesus  our  King  reigns  in  rightcousness."....lsa.  xxxii.  1.  "Hi* 
people  shall  be  all  righteous.". ...Laa.  Ix.  21.  Christ's  righteousness 
is  upon  us  to  justify  us  :  his  Spirit  within  us,  to  make  us  love 
righteousness  and  hate  iniquity  :  if  we  do  not,  we  only  talk  of 
Christ's  reign,  but  never  felt  its  power*  "  For  he  must  reign  till  he 
has  put  every  enemy  under  his  feet."....l  Cor.  xv.  25.  Therefore, 
4th.  Rejoice,  for  all  your  troubles,  temptations,  conflicts  and  dis- 
tresses, £cc.  are  under  Christ's  reign.  No  one  can  hurt  you  :  and 
the  last  enemy  death  shall  bring  you  to  reign  >rith  him  eternally  ia 
life."...  Jlom.  V.  17. 

The  Lord  on  high  doth  ever  reign,        Then  why  my  soul,  my  friends,  those 
For  his  dear  people's  good,  Which  dally  us  annoy  ?  [fears, 

They  soon  shall  see  iheir  foes  all  slain,  I-ook  up  to  Christ,  wipe  off  jour  tears, 
And  shout  the  Lr.nib  of  God.  Rejoice  with  holy  joy.  M- 


too  APRIL  7.. 

But  Jestfs  stooped  dowfi,  and  ivith  his , finger  tvrote  on  (he 
ground,  as  thougli  lie  heard  lhemnot....John  viii.  6. 

Every,  the  most  minute  transaction  of  the  life  of  Christ  should 
be  precious  to  the  faith  of  our  hecirts;  for  in  all  that  he  did  in  life, 
and  by  all  that  he  suffered  in  death,  he  manifested  himself  to  be  the 
Saviour  of  lost  sinners.  The  love  of  his  heart  knows  no  bounds  to 
such :  he  willingly  came  to  sock  and  to  save  them  :  it  is  his  joy  to 
find,  and  his  priory  to  save  the  lost.  O,  v.  as  it  not  so,  the  hand  that 
writes  must  tremble  to  hold  the  pen,  must  drop  it  with  terror,  while 
his  heart  must  be  filled  with  distress,  and  his  soul  sink  into  black 
despair.  But  O,  this  faithful  saying,  "  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into 
the  Avorld  to  save  sinners,"  braces  every  nerve  with  joy,  and  fills 
the  whole  man  with  triumph.  See  a  vile  prostitute  brought  before 
our  Lord,  and  her  crime  charged  upon  her;  she  was  taken  in  the 
act  ;  here  are  witnesses  ^o  prove  it ;  her  sin  admits  not  of  a  doubt ; 
yet  Christ  pays  no  attention  to  them  ;  he  pours  the  utmost  contempt 
upon  them  ;  from  the  holy  Jesus  should  we  not  expect  to  hear, 
"Take  the  vile  wiiore  from  before  me  and  knock  out  her  brains,  her 
abominable  sin  deserves  it  ?"  Are  not  our  self-righteous  hearts  ready 
to  rise  at  his  conduct  !  "  With  his  finger  he  wrote  on  the  ground ; 
fine  amusement  for  a  judge!  No  that  was  not  his  office;  he  came 
not  to  try,  judge,  and  condemn,  but  to  save  sinners  :  but  does  he 
not  connive  at  her  sin  ?  by  no  means  :  he  has  an  utter  abhorrence  of 
all  sin,  at  the  same  time  that  he  has  infinite  love  to  sinners  ;  his 
love  works  by  conviction  of  sin  upon  the  heart,  and  then  easing  the 
sin-burdened  conscience  ;  he  had  many  self-righteous  hearts  before 
him ;  while  they  accused  this  woman,  he  aimed  to  convict  them.  It 
is  said  an  ancient  Greek  copy  declares,  "  Christ  wrote  on  the  ground 
the  sins  of  every  one  of  them  ;"  be  that  as  it  may,  they  were  con- 
victed in  their  own  consciences  ;  they  had  not  a  stone  to  cast  at  the 
poor  sinner  ;  they  left  her  alone  with  Christ :  what  says  he  to  her  ? 
''  I  do  not  condemn  thee,  go  and  sin  no  more."  He  speaks  as  the 
sinner-justifying,  sin-hating  Saviour ;  now  imagine  yourself  that 
guilty  sinner,  such  you  are  ;  standing  before  Christ,  that  you  do : 
accused  by  the  law,  and  condemned  by  your  owi»  conscience,  that 
you  nmst  own  ;  and  yet  Jesus  saying,  guilty,  hell  deserving  as  you 
arc  ;  yet  I  do  not  condemn  thee,  I  fully  justify  and  freely  absolve 
thee  from  all  sin  :  O  what  peace,  comfort,  and  joy  would  inspire 
your  soul  !  Well  this  is  true  :  faith  receives  it,  and  takes  up  the 
triumphant  challenge,  who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's 
elect... .Rom.  viii.  33. 

Can  Jesus  e'er  be  pleas'd  with  sin  ?        O,  let  us  ne'er  licentious  be, 

No  ;  sin  he  hates,  sinners  he'll  love  ;       Because  we  see  free  grace  abound, 

Then  let  us  pray  his  grace  to  win,  But  let  us  to  the  Saviour  flee, 

And  o'er  all  sin  to  live  above.  From  sins  which  daily  us  surround. 

M. 


APRIL   8.  101 

IVoe  iinlo  (hem  i,.hkh  juslify  the  wicked  for  a  reicard,  and 
take  aiiuiy  the  ri'ghteouincss  of  (he  righteous  fi'um  him.... 
Is  a.  V.  23. 
Person's  are  said  in  scrlptui"e  to  do  a  thing;  •when  they  aim  to 
do  it,  and  was  it  in  their  power,  v/ould  ;  so  apostates  are  said  "  to 
crucify  the  Son  of  God  afrtsh."....IIeb.  vi.6.  But  that  is  impossible  ; 
yet  by  denying  Christ  tabetlic  Son  of  God,  they  justify  the  act,  and 
was  it  in  their  power  would  do  it  again  :  so  here,  a  woe  is  denounced 
ajjainst  persons  for  teachini^  cursed,  corrupt  doctrine.  1st.  They 
justify  the  wicked  for  a  reward  ;  this  is  the  common  and  prevaiHng 
doctrine  of  our  day:  the  wicked  is  the  character  of  e\ery. natural 
man  :  let  the  lives  of  such  be  ever  so  wicked,  yet  instead  of  being 
told  the  necessity  of  being  born  again  of  the  Spirit  and  justified  by 
the  Son  of  God,  they  are  t;iught  to  believe  they  can  bril)e  God's 
justice,  obtain  his  favor  and  justify  their  souls  in  his  sight  by  their 
duties  and  good  works.  If  the  Lord  had  not  interposed  by  his  spe- 
cial grace,  such  would  have  sent  my  wicked  soul  to  hell  with  a  lie 
in  my  right-hand.  Glory  to  tliee,  O  Spirit,  for  teaching  me  the 
justification  and  salvation  of  precious  Jesus  :  his  blood  is  my  plea 
lor  pardon  :  his  rigiiteousness  my  glory  for  justification  unto  life. 
Then,  2d.  We  are  beset  on  the  other  side  with  those  who  would 
lake  away  our  righteousness  fiom  us.  What  is  the  righteousness  of 
the  righteous  ?  His  own  works  and  obedience  ?  Do  these,  constitute 
us  righteous  in  the  sight  of  God  :  No :  why  not  ?  Because  they 
fall  short  of  the  rule  of  righteousness,  the  law  of  God  ;  as  they  do 
not  fulfil  the  righteous  law,  we  cannot  be  made  righteous  therebyi 
^Vas  our  justification  put  upon  this,  the  holiest  saint  must  be 
damned  for  want  of  righteousness  :  hear  this  and  tremble,  ye  self- 
righteous  ;  hear  this  and  be  humble,  ye  sin-convinced  souls.  "  Yet 
rejoice  in  Jesus,  for  he  is  the  Lord  olr  righteousness. "....Jer. 
xxiii.  6.  "He  is  of  God  made  unto  us  righteousness."....!  Cor. 
i.  30.  "  We  are  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him. "....2  Cor. 
V.  21.  This  ONE  everlasting  righteousness  we  receive  by  faith,  and 
glory  in  alone  :  but  there  be  those  who  would  rob  us  of  it,  and 
spoil  our  glory  in  it ;  they  tell  us  this  faith  leads  to  licentiousness  : 
wc  reply,  there  is  a  woe  against  you  from  the  Lord  :  you  are  linked 
with  those,  "  who  call  evil  good,  and  good  evil.  Sec.  who  are  wise 
in  their  own  eyes,  and  prudent  in  their  own  sight :  yea  with  drunk- 
ards also."....Isa.  v.  20,  21,  22.  See  what  sad  company  you  are  in  : 
your  heads  are  intoxicated  with  pride,  and  your  hearts  blinded  to 
the  truth  by  your  own  fancied  righteousness  :  you  decry  this  truth 
which  you  have  not  experienced,  '*  In  the  Lord  shall  all  the  seed 
of  Israel  be  justified  and  shall  glory."....Isa.  xlv.  25. 


&2  APRIT.  :r. 

There  is  iw  fear  in  Love:  but  perfect  love  caste th  out 
fear  i  because  fear  hath  torment ;  he  that  feareth  is  not 
viade  perfect  in  love.. .A  JohnW.  18. 

The  wild  fire  of^nature's  passions  arc  often  mistaken  for  hea- 
venlv  love  ;  they  have  hurried  people  into  dreadful  delusions  :  some 
have  pretended  to  be  so  perfect  in  love  as  to  have  nothing  but 
pure  love  in  them,  aud  that  the  beinc;-  of  sin  was  entirely  taken  out 
of  them  :  but  they  have  soon  given  awful  evidence  that  they  "  deceiv- 
ed themselves,  and  that  the  truth  was  not  in  them."....l  John  i.  8. 
Be  M'ise  by  others  harms  ;  study  the  word  of  God  ;  abide  by  that  ; 
live  upon  the  pkrfect  love  of  God  ;  glory  in  that  alone  :  for  you 
are,  and  ever  will  be,  while  in  the  body,  the  subject  of  sin,  there- 
fore subject  to  that  fear  which  hath  torment ;  to  fear  God  as  an 
enemy,  armed  with  almighty  vengeance  and  vindictive  Avrath 
against  you  a  sinner.  How  is  this  tormenting  fear  to  be  cast  out? 
Bv  love  :  the  perfect  love  of  God  in  Christ  to  sinners  :  this, 
clearly  known,  cordially  received,  and  steadily  believed  in  the  heart, 
ejects  ail  fear  that  hath  torment :  "  there  is  no  fear  in  love."  When 
ve  are  fully  persuaded  of  God's  love,  in  giving  his  Son  to  die  for  our 
sins  and  to  save  us  from  wrath:  this  precious,  everlasting,  immutable^ 
perfect  love  of  God  the  Father,  and  God  the  Son,  shed  abroad  in  our 
hearts  by  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  fills  our  minds  with  peace  and  joy  : 
it  sufi'ers  no  tormenting  fears  of  hell  and  damnation  to  remain  :  our 
hearts  are  full  of  heaven  :  the  love  of  heaven  is  in  our  souls  :  for 
*'  God  is  love,  and  God  dwclleth  in  us."  Thou  poor  sinner,  dejected 
with  fears,  bemoaning  thy  sins,  and  mourning  thy  want  of  love  to 
God,  dost  thou  confess  that  Jesus  is  tl;e  Son  of  God  I  Know  then, 
to  ihy  present  peace  and  everlasting  comfort,  "^God  dwelleth  in  Lliee 
and  thou  in  him."  Do  you  ask,  but  why  then  am  I  so  often  tormented 
with  ftar?  The  apostle  answers,  you  are  not  made  perfect  in,  rather 
nv  love  :  instead  of  firmly  believing,  and  steadily  living  upon  the 
perfect  love  of  God  in  Christ,  you  lose  sight  of  it,  are  slow  of  heart 
to  believe  it,  and  let  it  slip  out  of  your  minds  :  hence  fears  prevail 
again  in  your  conscience  ;  here  we  mistake  ;  we  look  fov  perfect  love 
in  ourselves  to  Ciod,  instead  of  the  perfect  love  of  God  to  us:  if 
we  find  not  a  constant,  pure  flame  of  love  ever  burning  in  our  hearts,. 
Aviihout  any  smoke  of  contrary  ail'cctions,  tormenting  fears  beset  us: 
this  is  for  want  of  being  established  in  God's  love  to  us.  'Tis  by 
this  we  are  made  perfect  in  our  conscience,  that  God  is  at  perfect 
peace  with  us  in  Christ  ;  hence  we  arc  happy  :  "  we  love  God,  be- 
cause he  first  loied  us."....l  John  iv.  10. 

O  God  of  love  now  shed  abroad,  That  I  may  run  the  heav'idy  road^ 

Thy  perfect  love  withia  my  breast,        With  j^^y  to  ihy  eternal  rest. 


APRIL  10.  1,05 

Jt  that  day  sailh  the  Lord,  thou  shalt  call  mc  Isht\  and 
shalt  callmc  no  more  Baali....IIos.  ii.  IG. 

Maxy  people  say,  "the  scripture  is  a  dead  letter:"  who  told 
them  so?  Not  God  in  his  word.  True,  Paul  says,  "the  letter  kil- 
leth."....2  Cor.  iii.  6.  This  cannot  prove  the  scripture  to  be  a  dead 
letter:  but  only  that  the  letter  of  the  law  is  a  ministration  of  death; 
therefore,  even  the  law  cannot  be  a  dead  letter:  for  that  which  kil- 
leth  cannot  be  dead  itself:  St.  Stephen  calls  it  "the  lively  oracles.".... 
Acts  vii.  "8.  Our  Lord  says,  "the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you» 
they  are  spirit  and  they  are  life. "....  John  vi.  63.  If  we  are  dead  to  the 
law  and  married  to  Christ,  here  is  a  precious  v'ord  of  spirit  and  life 
from  our  loving  bridegroom  to  us  this  night:  mavricd  by  faith:  this 
is  what  constitutes  "  that  day,"  that  gospel  dny  of  our  espousals. 
Whatever  may  be  in  the  womb  of  Cod's  coven;!nt  purpose  and  de- 
cree concerning  any  sinner,  yet  he  can  enjoy  no  comfort  of  it,  till 
brought  into  actual  marriage  union  to  Christ  by  fuith:  "saith  the 
Lord;"  when  you  read  this,  consider  yourself  in  your  Lord's  pre- 
sence, and  your  Ix>rd  speaking  freely  to  yon:  "  thou  shalt  call  me 
Ishi,  and  shalt  call  me  no  more  Baali:"  why  not?  as  both  names 
signify  my  husband :  "  thy  maker  is  thine  husband."... .Isa.  liv.  5.  O, 
but  there  is  much  more  Jove  and  sweetness  in  the  one  than  the  other: 
here  is  an  overflow  of  the  Lord's  affectionate  heart  to  us:  Ishi  is  ex- 
pressive of  precious  affection  and  holy  familiarity:  Baali,  of  that 
lordly  power,  which  keeps  the  soul  in  subjection;  doniineering  over 
it,  so  as  to  keep  it  at  a  distance  and  making  it  shy  of  its  Lord:  many 
women  can  truly  call  thier  husbands  Baali,  because  they  lord  it 
over  them:  their  fear  and  dread  of  them  is  greater  than  their  love 
and  affection  to  them :  but  our  dear  Lord  would  not  have  it  so  with 
«is;  therefore  bids  us,  "Call  me  Ishi."  Mr.  Henry  says,  "Ishi,  is 
viR  MEus,  my  man:  a  man,  the  Lord."  O,  the  affectionate 
love!  O,  the  marvellous  humility  of  our  Lord  and  husband  1  May 
he  help  us  to  improve  these  precious  words,  1st.  In  castings 
away  all  serviie  fear  and  slavish  dread  of  our  Lord:  he  has  taken 
away  the  law  that  cursed  us;  put  away  sin  which  caused  it;  and 
there  is  nothing  but  love  and  compassion  in  his  heart  to  ua.  O  let 
MS,  2d.  Prove  this  in  coming  to  him  with  the  same  freedom  and  fami- 
liarity, AB  a  loving  wife  to  her  affectionate  husband  and  tell  him  of  our 
sorrows  and  Mants,  that  he  may  comfort  us  and  supply  them.  od.  Let 
»is  imitate  Christ  in  the  purity  of  his  love  and  chastity  of  affection ; 
turn  from  all  other  lovers;  delight  more  in  his  company  and  walk 
closer  with  him  in  love  :  "for  the  love  of  Christ  passeth  knowledge." 
.i..Eph.  iii.  19. 


104  APRIL   11. 

Ye  are  fallal  from  grace. ...Gal.  v.  4. 

Awful  words!  Enough  to  excite  in  us  a  holy  fear,  a  godly 
jealousy,  and  an  earnest  cry,  Lord,  uphold  me  by  thy  free  Spirit. 
What  is  herenie.int  by  grace?  The  doctrine  of  God's  free  favor  to 
lost  sinners  in  Christ:  redeeming  their  souls  from  the  curse  of  the 
law  by  his  blood;  justiiying  their  persons  before  God  by  his  righte- 
ousness without  any  works  of  their  own  ;  and  finally  saving  them 
without  any  desert  of  theirs.  O  my  Lord,  what  rich,  what  match- 
less grace  is  this!  My  soul  shall  love  and  praise  thee  eternally  In 
heaven  for  this:  no,  but  stop,  thy  joy  is  damped:  thou  mayest  fall 
from  this  grace;  lose  the  favor  of  God;  fall  into  hell :  who  says 
this?  Some  say  Paul  here  docs;  no,  it  is  as  impossible  for  a  saint  in 
Christ  Jesus  thus  to  fall,  as  for  a  glorified  saint  in  heaven  to  fall  into 
liell.  Christ  is  God;  it  is  impossible  for  God  to  lie,  for  Christ 
says,  "niy  sheep  shall  never  perish. "....John  x.  28.  If  they  did, 
God  the  Father  niust  change  in  his  love;  God  the  Son  shed  his  blood 
in  the  greatest  agony  in  vain  :  God  tlife  Spirit's  work  upon  their 
hearts  would  be  fruitless ;  and  hell  would  triumph  against  the  love, 
grace  aixl  power  of  Jehovah.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  for  per- 
severing as  well  as  converting  grace :  what  then  does  the  apostle  here 
mean?  1st.  And  principally,  these  Galatian  professors  of  the  great 
and  glorious  doctrines  of  the  grace  of  God  had  fallen  into  other  no- 
tions of  justification,  than  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ  only  : 
they  thought  their  own  Avorks  must  have  some  hand  in  procuring  it 
first  or  last:  therefore,  2d.  They  were  fallen  from  the  profession 
they  once  made,  that  they  saw  themselves  lost  and  perishing  sinners, 
come  short  of  the  glory  of  God,  destitute  of  a  righteousness  to  jus- 
tify them  in  his  sight,  and  must  be  eternally  damned  without  the 
righteousness  of  Christ.  For,  3d.  They  were  now  fallen  into  a 
high  opinion  of  their  own  free-will,  to  work  out  a  righteousness  to 
jtistify  them  in  whole  or  in  part  ;  faithfulness  to  grace  received  to 
entitle  them  to  God's  favor;  their  own  sinless  perfection  to  keep 
thenii  in  his  favor;  if  at  first  they  are  not  justified  by  their  own  works 
yet  there  is  a  second  justification,  when  their  works  shall  entitle  them 
to  glory :  this  is  the  case  with  some  in  our  day.  At  first  they  thought 
God's -free-grace  through  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  Christ, 
would  entirely  save  them:  but  now  grown  wise  in  their  own  eyes, 
and  mighty  strong  in  their  own  power,  they  are  fallen  from  the  grace 
of  the  gospel  into  the  pride  of  nature :  they  say,  "we  once  leaned  too 
much  to  Calvinism."  Now,  forsaking  the  truth,  they  get  perfection 
in  themselves:  now  they  can  do  without  the  imputed  righteousness 
of  Christ,  and  vehemently  exclaim  against  the  doctrines  of  grace; 
fiom  such  falling,  good  Lord  deliver  us! 


APRIL   12.  105 

By  the  obedience  ef  onCy  shall  many  be  made  righteous.... 
Rom.  V.  19. 

Paul  speaks  of  "another  Jesus,  another  Spirit,  and  another 
GospEL."....2  Cor.  xi.  4.  Some  talk  of  a  Jesus,  who  shed  his  blood 
for  sinners,  and  yet  lets  them  perish  for  want  of  righteousness:  this 
is  another  Jesus  than  what  the  scriptures  reveal ;  they  speak  of 
a  Spirit  who  strives  to  make  sinners  righteous,  but  meeting  with  so 
much  unexpected,  perverse  wickedness  in  their  nature,  he  gives  over 
his  attempt  and  leaves  them  to  perish  in  their  sins:  this  is  another 
spirit  than  that  Spirit,  whose  office  it  is  to  convince  us  of  sin  and  of 
the  righteousness  of  Christ,  to  sanctify  us  in  him  and  to  glorify  Jesus. 
Again,  they  preach  what  they  call  gospel,  which  consists  of  certain 
terms  to  be  fulfilled  a«d  conditions  performed  by  them,  in  order  to 
get  righteousness  and  eternal  life:  this  is  another  gospel  than  that 
good  news  of  everlasting  righteousness,  life  and  salvation,  being  the 
free  gift  of  God  through  Christ  to  hopeless,  helpless,  desperate 
sinners.  The  subtlety  of  the  serpent  is  in  all  this ;  our  minds  though 
espoused  to  Jesus,  are  in  danger  of  being  corrupted  from  the  sim- 
plicity that  is  in  Clirist.  Paul  was  jealous  over  souls  with  a  godly 
jealousy  on  account  of  this ;  we  ought  so  to  be  over  our  own  souls : 
here  is  a  plain  simple  truth  ;  by  the  one  obedience  of  Jesus,  shall 
many  be  made  righteous :  that  heart  is  not  simple  which  raises  the 
least  cavil,  or  objection,  to  the  obedience  of  Christ  imputed  to  be- 
lieving sinners:  or  says,  they  are  or  may  be  tnade  righteous  any  other 
way.  Such  reject  the  truth,  deny  the  faith,  corrupt  minds,  dishonor 
our  Lord,  and  deprive  souls  of  the  comfort  and  joy  which  spring  from 
believing  Jesus  to  be,  the  Lord  our  righteousness  :  avoid  such, 
as  you  would  those  who  deny  the  divinity  of  our  ever  dear  Lord ; 
hold  fast  and  rejoice  in  this  blessed  truth,  that  though  you  are  a 
miserable  sinner  in  yourself,  though  your  obedience,  after  all  your 
sincere  strivings  and  earnest  endeavours,  is  maimed  and  imperfect, 
yet  the  perfect,  spotless  obedience  of  the  Son  of  God  is  yours,  imput- 
ed to  your  account:  as  much  yours  as  though  you  had  in  your  own 
person  obeyed  every  jot  and  tittle  of  the  law  of  God :  by  this  one 
obedience  of  Christ  you  are  perfectly  righteous  in  God'S  sight;  he 
looks  on  you,  loves  you,  and  will  treat  you  as  such:  O  then,  poor 
sinner  be  not  dejected  as  without  hope,  but  rejoice  and  give  glory  to 
your  dear  surety,  who  has  fulfilled  all  righteousness  for  you,  that 
you  should  eternally  love,  "serve  and  rejoice  in  him,  though  you  have 
no  confidence  in  the  flesh."....Phil.  iii.  3. 

God's  truths  demand  obedient  faith,       Then  to  thyself  for  sin  take  shame, 
We're  bound  to  hear  whate'er  he  saith  ;  A  nd  all  the  glory  give  the  Lamb.     M. 
Vol.  IL  O 


106  APRII       3. 

lie  thai  trusieih  Inhis  oxen  heart  is  afool....Prov.  xxviii.  26. 

We  all  do  so  naturally:  therefore  we  are  all  natural  fools;  but 
throug^li  our  blindness  we  are  ignorant  of  it:  through  pride  we  will 
not  own  it:  how  many  continue  in  this  awful  state  of  folly,  ignorance 
and  pride?  Among  the  many  who  are  made  wise  unto  salvation, 
how  doth  this  folly  of  self-confidence  cleave  to  them?  Say  some, 
*'to  be  sure,  it  is  the  greatest  folly  for  natural  men  to  trust  in  their 
own  hearts,  for  they  are  deceitful  above  all  things  and  desperately 
wicked  :  but  God  hath  given  me  a  new  heart,  a  clean  heart,  and  a 
good  heart,  and  surely  I  may  trust  in  it."  This  is  the  natural  lan- 
guage of  folly:  not  the  judgment  of  anew  creature  in  Christ;  hear 
the  Lord :  "  1  will  give  them  an  heart  to  know  me  that  I  am  the  Lord 
and  they  shall  be  my  people,  and  I  will  be  their  God,  for  they  shall 
return  unto  me  with  their  whole  heart.".. ..Jer.  xxiv.  7.  So  that  the 
new  heart,  the  clean  heart,  and  the  good  heart,  which  is  from  the 
Lord,  knows  the  Lord  as  its  only  conrulence  and  returns  to  the 
Lord,  and  trusts  in  him  wholly  and  solely  :  this  is  the  nature  of  true 
faith,  to  go  entirely  out  of  ourselves  and  to  trust  wholly  in  the  Lord. 
It  is  the  foolish,  deceitful,  wicked  workings  of  the  old  evil  heart  of 
unbelief  that  causes  self-confidence :  such  was  Peters  vain  confidence. 
Hence  he  got  a  dreadful  fall  to  teach  him  more  humility.  Hwzael 
was  very  self-righteous:  he  started  and  stared  when  he  was  told 
what  a  wicked  thing  he  should  do  ;  all  the  disciples  forsook  Christy 
for  all  their  bold  declarations  to  the  contrary  :  would  not  that  mariner 
be  a  fool,  who  vvould  trust  his  ship  to  ride  out  a  storm  with  an  anchor 
of  lead  and  a  cable  of  straw  ?  He  exalteth  such  folly  Avho  trusts  in 
any  inherent  righteousness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  his  own  :  for 
he  thereby  withdraws  his  confidence  in  our  only  righteous,  wise, 
and  powerful  friend  and  Saviour  ;  trust  not  in  the  fine  frames  and 
warm  feelings  of  your  heart.  The  graces  of  the  Spirit  are  not  bestow- 
ed to  exalt  self-confidence,  but  to  glorify  Jesus,  in  whom  should  be  our 
whole  and  sole  trust  ;  for  "of  God  he  is  made  unto  us  wisdom, 
righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption:"  to  what  end?  A 
most  blessed  one.  O,  study  it  more  and  more,  day  by  day,  ''  that, 
according  as  it  is  written,  him  that  gloricth,  let  him  glory  in  the 
Lord.''..«»    Lor.  i.  31. 

How  foolish  a  part, 

To  trust  in  one's  heart, 
And  let  go  the  Lamb,  and  from  him  depart  ? 

Lord,  beat  down  our  pride, 

O  keep  rear  thy  side, 
And  i;eep  us  chaste  to  thee,  as  thy  loving  bride- 
,  \V  hile  in  thte  we  irnst, 

And  of  thee  do  boast, 
Fill  tjs  with  joy  in  thee,  thioujh  the  Holy  Ghost. 


APRIL  14.  -  lor 

For  thy  names  sake,  O  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquifVy  for  it 
is  great. ...Psalm  xxv.  1 1. 

Strange  plea!  Great  is  mine  iniquity,  therefore  pardon  it ! 
Such  an  address  at  a  throne  of  grace  never  rose  from  a  self-righte- 
ous heart!  No:  with  the  the  pharisee  of  old  they  are  ready  to  say, 
"thank  God,  I  am  not  such  a  sinner  as  David  vas:  I  never  com- 
mitted the  horrid  crimes  of  murder  and  adultery :  his  iniquity  was 
great  indeed;"  it  was  so.  But  souls  enlii!;htened  by  the  Spirit  of 
truth,  to  see  the  spirituality  of  the  holy  law  of  God,  will  agree  to 
our  Saviour's  gloss  upon  it;  that  lust  is  adultery  in  the  heart,  and 
anger  a  species  of  murder  in  the  soul.... Malt.  v.  28.  "  Out  of  the 
heart  proceed  murders,  adulteries."  kc....Matt.  xv.  19.  Sensible 
of  the  desperate  wickedness  of  our  heart ;  eonvinced  of  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin;  who  will  dare  plead,  pardon  mine  iniquity 
for  it  is  i.iTTLK?  Is  it  against  a  little  God  sin  is  committed  ?  Is  a 
little  wrath  revealed  against  sin  ?  Did  a  little  Christ  die  for  us  ?  Is  a 
little  hell  the  punishment  of  sin  ?  Lord  forbid  that  we  should  think 
little  of  sin,  or  that  iniquity  should  appear  little  in  our  eyes  ;  the 
iniquity  of  each  of  us  all  is  great. 

O,  says '  a  poor  sin-burdened  soul,  mine  iniquity  is  great,  too 
great  to  be  forgiven  ;  so  the  father  of  lies  might  suggest  to  David, 
but  he  believed  him  not :  great  as  his  iniquity  was,  he  did  not  aggra- 
vate his  crimes,  by  rejecting  God's  declarations  of  mercy,  invitations 
of  grace,  and  promises  of  pardon  ;  he  confesses  his  grtat  iniquity ; 
he  pleads  pardon  for  it ;  on  what  does  he  found  his  plea  ?  For  thy 
name's  sake,  O  Lord  ;  thou  hast  taken  upon  tliee  that  precious 
name  Jesus  :  "  thou  wilt  be  sai.vatiox  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.".... 
Psalm  xcviii.  3.  Thy  blood  cleanseth  fiom  all  sin  ;  wash  mc  in  it 
and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow;  ai.i.  manner  of  sin  and  blasphemy 
shall  be  forgiven  unto  men  :  O,  while  these  glorious  truths  stand 
upon  record,  I  cannot  doubt,  I  dare  not  despair  ;  the  belief  of  them 
causes  me  to  pray  and  plead,  and  hoj)e  :  great  as  mine  iniquity  is, 
great  as  my  distress  is,  yet  ihou  art  a  great  God  and  Saviovr, 
to  pardon  my  sin  and  give  peace  to  my  soul ;  was  ever  any  sinner 
sent  to  hell  with  such  a  plea  in  his  mouth  I  No:  that  is  impossible  ; 
for  the  word  of  God  cannot  be  bioken,  which  says,  *' if  we  confess 
our  sins,  God  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins."....  1  John 
i.  9.  Therefore  heaven  rings  with  acclamations  of  joy  from  such 
pardoned,  glorified  sinners.  O,  that  we  may  join  them,  in  giving 
glory  unto  him,  who  loved  us  and  washed  us  from  our  sins,  in  his 
own  blood.. ..Rev.  i.  5. 

No  sin  however  great,         '  Pardon,  O  Lord,  my  soul, 

Shall  keep  me  from  my  God:  Bring  comfort  to  my  mind, 

For  Christ's  salvation  is  complete  j  O  make  my  wounded  spirit  whole, 


I'll  plead  his  cleansing  blood.  Joy  in  thee  let  me  find. 


M. 


108  APRIL   15. 

Be  thou  faithful  unto  deatliy  and  I  ivill  give  thee  a  croicn 
of  life.... Rev.  ii.  10. 

This  text  has  been  seized  by  Arminian  hands,  dragged  to  their 
mint,  the  impress  of  man's  faithfulness  struck  on  their  minds,  as  }iis 
title  to  a  crown  of  life  ;  and  pressed  into  their  service  to  militate 
against  the  electing  love  of  God,  and  finished  salvation  bj-  Christ 
ONLY  ;  O  christian,  does  not  your  heart  rise  with  indignation  against 
such  a  self-exalting  notion  I  It  is  the  very  dregs  of  unfaithfulness 
to  Christ  ;  are  you  not  ready  to  spurn  it  with  a  holy  vehemence, 
saying,  get  to  hell,  from  whence  you  sprung?  What!  my  faithfulness 
on  earth,  the  cause,  the  condition,  the  merit  of  my  being  crowned 
in  heaven?  O,  my  law-fulfilling,  justice-satisfying,  sin-atoning 
Jesus;  can  I  ever  think  so  meanly  of  thy  agony  and  bloody  sweat; 
thy  cross  and  passion  ;  thy  precious  death  and  burial ;  thy  glorious 
resurrection  and  ascension  I  And  of  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Ghost? 
as  though  all  this  obtained  no  more  for  me  than  to  make  way  for  my 
faithfulness,  to  entitle  me  to  a  crown  of  glory  !  O,  Christ  glorifying 
Spirit,  never  didst  thou  teach  such  a  diminutive  thought  of  Christ's 
finished  salvation.  Forbid  that  my  soul  should  ever  indulge  such 
a  self-exalting  notion  ;  enable  me  to  attend  my  Lord's  gTacious 
•words.  What  means  he  by  our  being  faithful  ?  To  believe  on  him  to 
death,  to  exercise  our  faith  constantly  on  him  as  our  dear  Saviour, 
whose  blood  has  atoned  for  our  sins  ;  whose  righteousness  justifies 
our  persons,  has  perfectly  reconciled  us  to  God,  and  ever  lives  to 
love,  pray  for,  and  save  us  to  the  uttermost ;  steadily  to  believe  his 
word  of  truth  which  exalts  his  grace  and  love  ;  sincerely  to  obey  his 
precepts  which  adorn  his  gospel  ;  to  live  upon  him  as  our  only  title 
to  glory,  as  our  head  of  influence,  and  to  receive  out  of  his  fulness 
grace  upon  grace,  to  ripen  us  for  glory  ;  thus  faithfully  to  confess 
him  to  be  our  all  in  all  and  ourselves  nothing  at  all  in  the  work  of 
salvation  ;  to  be  faithful  to  his  advice,  "  after  ye  have  done  all  these 
things,  say  we  are"....what  ?  Perfect  sinless  creatures,  who  have 
our  own  faithfulness  to  plead  at  death  for  a  crown  of  glory  ?  O,  no ! 
This  would  be  most  arrogant  unfaithfulness  to  such  a  precious 
Saviour,  even  if  we  were  called  to  the  stake  for  his  truth  ;  but  even 
martyrs,  in  the  midst  of  the  flames,  must  say,  "  we  are  unprofitable 
servants. "....Luke  xvii.  10.  To  be  faithful  unto  death  is  to  renounce 
the  filthy  rags  of  our  own  righteousness,  all  our  own  faithfulness* 
cleaving  to  Christ,  saying,  O  that  I  may  win  Christ  and  be  found 
in  him,  who  gave  me  grace  to  be  faithful,  and  graciously  promises 
a  crown  of  life  of  his  free  gift.... Rom.  vi.  23. 

Sin  shall  not  bow  my  spirit  down,  His  mercy  lifts  my  spirit  up 

Nor  chase  me  from  my  Lord;  To  hear,  and  trust  his  word. 


APRIL  16.  lO'j 

Go  and  cry  unto  the  gods  which  ye  have  chosen,  let  ihcm 
deliver  you  in  the  time  of  your  tribulation. .. Judges  k.  14. 

A  SEVERE  sarcasm  from  the  Lord  to  apostate  professors  ;  it 
causes  a  hell  upon  earth  to  a  renewed  soul  to  hear  and  feel  just  up- 
■braidings  from  the  Lord  of  heaven :  this  is  one  of  his  severest  chas- 
tisings  to  his  children ;  here  is  an  awful  charge  and  a  severe  reproof; 
the  Lord  keep  us  clear  of  the  one  that  we  fall  not  under  the  other. 
Consider,  1st.  The  charge  ;  it  is  idolatry:  they  had  gods  of  their 
own  choosing  ;  for  the  Lord's  sake  and  for  our  souls  sake,  let  us  not 
think  we  are  in  no  danger  of  falling  into  this  sin  :  it  is  committed  by 
professors  every  day  ;  aged  Paul  wept  over  such  ;  though  they  pro- 
fessed Christ,  yet  they  were  enemies  to  his  cross  ;  "  their  belly  was 
their  God  ;  their  hearts  were  set  upon  earthly  things. "....Phil.  iii.  19. 
Such  are  not  content  with  Christ  as  their  portion,  to  live  in  fellow- 
ship with  him,  to  walk  in  self-denied  love  and  obedience  before  him, 
and  to  derive  all  their  comfort  and  happiness  from  him  :  the  lusts  of 
the  flesh  they  gratify  ;  earthly  things  have  their  hearts :  thus  they 
give  up  the  Lord,  and  give  into  idolatry  against  him.  O,  what  a 
most  heinous  crime  is  this !  How  much  practised  !  How  little 
thought  of,  deplored  and  deprecated  !  Christians,  where  are  your 
hearts?  Who  has  your  affections,  God,  the  flesh,  or  the  world?  If 
not  God,  depend  on  it,  you  will  soon,  very  soon  hear  from  him  in 
such  a  way  as  will  be  awfully  distressing.  Consider,  2d.  The  reproof: 
a  day  of  tribulation  will  come  ;  when  sorrow  and  distress  seize  on 
your  minds,  then  God  is  a  blessed  refuge  ;  but  O,  then  to  think, 
alas  !  I  have  forsaken  the  Lord,  have  preferred  other  lovers  to  him ; 
chosen  other  gods  beside  him,  the  world  has  had  my  heart  and  my 
hope,  I  have  lived  to  the  flesh,  1  have  minded  earthly  things,  and 
indulged  covetous  desires.  Well,  but  I  read,  notwithstanding  all 
this,  ''  the  children  of  Israel  cried  unto  the  Lord  saying,  we  have 
forsaken  our  God  and  served  idols.".. ..Judges  x.  10.  Ah  !  but 
mind  the  Lord's  cutting  answer,  "  go  and  cry  unto  the  gods  which 
ye  have  chosen,  let  them  deliver  you."  A  severer  reproof  is  scarce 
to  be  found  in  the  bible  ;  O,  lay  it  to  heart :  deeply  consider  its 
import:  do  not,  I  pray  you,  cast  away  this  with  contempt  as  very 
legal ;  for,  consider,  the  Lord  though  as  your  Father  may  everlast- 
ingly love  your  persons  in  Christ,  yet  he  hates  your  conduct,  and 
will  make  you  smart  for  it  in  your  conscience :  true  it  is  said,  "  the 
Lord's  soul  was  grieved  fo  rthe  misery  of  his  children."....Judgesx.l6; 
But,  O,  consider  the  great  misery  they  must  feel  to  grieve  the  soul 
of  the  Lord :  what  a  compassionate  Saviour  is  our  Christ,  "  in  all 
our  afflictions  he  is  ati[Ucted."....Isa.  Ixiii.  9. 


no  APRIL  ir. 

Uliat soever  ye  do  in  word  or  deedy  do  all  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus. ...Col.  iii.  17. 

I  HAvF,  sometimes  thought,  hov  is  it  possible  that  a  believer  in 
Christ  can  ever  wilfully  and  deliberately  commit  any  one  sin?  It  is 
hardly  to  be  conceived  that  such  can  live  and  walk  under  the  power 
of  sin:  I  am  sure  all  sin  is  as  contrary  to  the  nature  of  a  new  born 
soul,  as  heaven  to  hell :  yet  nothing  is  more  plain  from  the  word 
of  God  and  the  experience  of  his  saints,  than  that  sin  dwells  in 
them;  but  they  are  solemnly  forbid,  to  "  let  sin  reign  in  them,  that 
they  should  obey  it  in  the  lusts  thereof."....Rom.  vi.  12.  And  if 
our  souls  are  not  striving  against  sin,  and  pressing  after  holiness,  I 
know  not  where  to  find  one  text  in  the  word  of  God,  to  encourage 
us  to  believe  and  hope  that  we  are  the  children  of  God:  I  dread  not 
the  Satanic  grin  of  licentious  Antinomians;  does  their  infectious 
breath  pronounce  this  legal?  It  only  proclaims  their  unregenerate 
tnniity  against  God's  truth,  his  grace  and  his  glory. 

Ye  believers  in,  and  lovers  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  here  is  a  short,  but 
most  blessed  and  comprehensive  rule  for  your  walk  and  conduct. 
Pops  salan  tempt,  the  world  allure,  and  the  fiesh  Just?  Gratify  them 
if  ye  can,  only  see  that  you  do  it  according  to  this  apostolic  rule: 
yea,  get  drunk,  game,  go  to  plays,  routs,  take  your  full  swing  in 
carnal  pleasures  and  sensual  delights,  and  mix  with  the  kicked  and 
profane,  only  see  that  you  do  all  this  as  here  commanded  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Does  your  heart  recoil?  It  must,  if  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  is  music  to  your  cars,  and  the  joy  of  your 
soul;  you  can  no  more  take  delight  in  these  things,  than  in  the 
music  of  hell.  O,  the  matchless  charms  of  that  precious  name ! 
Lord,  never,  never  suffer  them  to  wear  off  our  hearts ;  thy  name 
charms  away  the  power  of  sin,  the  love  of  the  world,  and  the  plea- 
sures of  sense:  it  charms  our  souls  into  the  presence  of  God,  fel- 
lowship with  God,  and  into  the  joys  of  heaven;  right  welcome  are 
wc  to  God,  fully  reconciled  to  him,  and  perfectly  accepted  with  him, 
in  the  precious  nime  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  O  my  dear,  dear  Saviour, 
it  is  in  thy  precious  name  my  heart  would  now  indite;  ()  for  the 
pen  of  a  ready  writer  to  display  the  glories  of  thy  precious  name, 
my  King  and  my  Lord  ;  may  the  readers  of  these  meditations  find 
the  odour  of  thy  name  in  them,  "  as  ointment  poured  forth,  that 
they  may  love  thee.".. ..Song  i.  3.  To  us  sinners,  "the  nanjc  of 
Jesus  is  above  every  name.".. ..Phil.  ii.  y. 

Thv  words  and  deeds,  thou  matchless     This  wicked  world  with  all  its  cliarms, 
Proclaim  thy  love  tome  :        [Lamb,      Put  underneath  my  feet : 

O  may  Hive  and  tove  thy  name,  Keep  me  encircled  in  thine  arms, 

And  ever  honor  thee.  Where  all  my  comforu  meet.        M. 


APRIL   18.  Ill 

My  meditation  of  him  shall  be  siveet :  I  will  be  glad  in  the 
Lord.... Psalm  civ.  34. 

Sv/FFT  meditation  of  the  I^orcl  causes  gladness  in  the  Lord,  in- 
spires us  with  the  love  of  the  Lord,  and  inclines  us  to  ascribe  the 
glory  of  all  we  enjoy  to  the  Lord.  It  is  said  of  Constantine  the  great, 
that  after  (ind  had  honored  him  with  many  victories,  as  the  effigies 
of  other  emperors  were  set  up  in  a  triumphant  manner  with  their  vic- 
tories engraven  upon  their  loins,  he  desired  that  his  might  be  set 
in  a  posture  of  prayer,  kneeling,  that  he  might  manifest  to  the  world 
that  he  attributed  all  his  victories,  more  to  his  prayers  than  his 
sword  ;  this  was  the  result  of  sweet  meditation.  What  great  gain  do 
souls  reap  by  spiritual  meditation  ?  Strangers  to  this  delightful  exer- 
cise know  not  others'  gain  nor  their  own  loss ;  a  day  spent  without 
some  meditation  of  the  sinner's  Redeemer  and  Saviour,  is  a  day  lost; 
for  Jesus  gets  no  glory  from  our  hearts ;  we  get  no  comfort  from  his 
love:  Paul  the  aged,  exhorts  his  son  Timothy,  mkditate  on  these 
THINGS....!  Tim. iv.l5.  What  things?  The  scriptures,  which  testify 
of  Christ  and  the  peace  and  salvation  which  are  brought  unto  poor  sin- 
ners by  him :  O,  how  sweet  is  this  I  Saints  in  all  ages  have  one  and 
the  same  delightful  object  to  meditate  upon:  the  soul  under  the 
sweet  exercise  of  grace  knows  no  end  of  it ;  nor  how  to  leave  off 
metlitating  on  him,  who  hath  loved  us  poor  sinners  with  an  ever- 
lasting love,  and  saved  us  with  an  everlasting  salvation  ;  his  person 
is  woNDKKKUL,  God  and  man  in  one  Christ;  the  love  of  Christ  pas- 
aeth  knowledge;  the  offices  of  Christ  as  King,  Priest,  Prophet, 
Mediator,  Surety,  Redeemer,  Saviour,  how  glorious  in  their  nature! 
How  interesting  to  us  sinners!  The  blood  of  Christ,  how  precious! 
His  righteousness,  how  perfect!  His  death,  how  affecting!  His  re- 
surrection, how  joyfvd!  The  salvation  of  Christ,  how  comforting! 
His  intercession,  how  prevailing!  His  grace  in  the  heart,  how  sin- 
subduing,  and  soul-purifying !  His  almighty  power  in  keeping  us 
through  faith  unto  eternal  salvation,  hovv  animating  !  and  the  per- 
fect sight  and  full  enjoyment  of  Jesus  in  glory,  how  transporting! 
Contemplations  on  these  blessed  subjects  will  cause  us  to  cry  out  with 
Pavid,  "my  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet,  I  will  be  glad  in  the 
Lord."  Now,  do  you  complain  for  want  of  gladness  in  the  Lord  ?  It 
is  because  your  heart  is  carried  away  after  other  things;  you  medi- 
tate too  much  on  them,  and  too  little  on  your  God,  who  saith,  "  I 
^ill  not  forget  thee."....Isa.  xlix.  15. 

My  soul  is  never  well,  but  when  Tho'  in  myself  I'm  nought  but  sin, 

I  on  my  bebt  beloved  dwell.  Yet  in  my  Lord  I  will  be  glad:  [clexn ; 

He's  fairer  th;in  the  sons  of  men;  His  blood  doth  cleanse  and  keep  me 

Hii  love  and  grace  unsearchable.  And  in  his  righteousness  I'm  clad.  M- 


112  APRIL   19. 

My  soul  mdlclh  for  heaviness :  strengthen  thou  me   ac 
cording  to  thy  word.... Psalm  cxix.  28. 

While  the  wicked  are  gay,  alert  and  merry,  many  of  God's 
beloved  children  go  bowed  down  from  day  to  day,  with  heavi- 
ness of  soul ;  when  they  compare  themselves  with  the  men  of  the 
world  under  such  seasons,  they  are  tempted  to  write  bitter  things 
against  themselves,  and  to  pass  a  verdict  in  favor  of  others.  Soul, 
in  the  heaviest  season,  and  most  dejected  frame  you  ever  experienced, 
say,  could  you  find  it  in  your  heart  to  wish  to  change  lots  with  them  ? 
what !  quit  yoin'  faith  in  Jesus  and  hope  of  eternal  enjoyment  of  him  I 
for  what  ?  The  momentary  gratifications  and  short-lived  pleasures  of 
time  and  sense.  Alas!  my  soul  is  in  such  heaviness  that  I  doubt 
whether  I  have  either  a  spark  of  faith,  or  a  ray  of  hope  in  Christ. 
My  soul  melteth  !  it  bears  no  image  nor  impression  of  any  grace,  or 
of  the  power  of  any  truth ;  faith  fails  ;  hope  decays  ;  my  heart 
sinks  ;  I  am  burdened  with  a  sense  of  sin  ;  oppressed  with  tempta- 
tions ;  and  what  is  heaviest  of  all,  the  Lord  hides  his  face  and  deserts 
my  soul :  David  felt  all  this;  Peter  experienced  the  same ;  hence  he 
says,  "  for  a  season,  if  need  be,  ye  are  in  heaviness  through  mani- 
fold temptations."....!  Pet.  i.  6. 

Mind  those  two  words  ;  there  is  support  and  relief  in  them.... for 
A  SEASON.  Blessed  be  Jesus,  heaviness  lasts  not  always  ;  he  will 
deliver  out  of  it  ;  if  need  be  ;  there  is  cause  for  it;  good  shall 
issue  from  it.  What  is  the  remedy  when  the  soul  is  in  heaviness  ? 
Prayer  ;.  pleading  God's  word  of  grace,  and  promises  of  love  for 
strength  under  burdens,  and  deliverance  from  soul-heaviness ; 
*'  strengthen  thou  me  according  to  thy  word  ;"  says  wisdom,  "  heavi- 
ness in  the  heart  of  man  maketh  it  stoop  ;"  the  poor  soul  sinks  un- 
dej  its  burden ;  "  but,"  says  he,  "  a  good  word  maketh  it  glad.".... 
Prov.  xii.  25.  Where  shall  we  find  that  good  word  ?  In  the  gospel 
of  the  grace  of  God  ;  here  is  a  good  word,  enough  to  make  thy 
heavy  heart  leap  for  joy,  and  thy  burdened  soul  sing  for  gladness. 
C),  meditate  upon  it ;  pray  over  it ;  and  may  the  Lord  the  Spirit  give 
thee  comfort  from  it ;  it  is  the  work  and  oflice  of  thy  blessed  Saviour ; 
i!i  his  own  time,  way  and  manner,  he  will  most  surely  fulfil  it;  "to 
appoint  unto  them  who  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty 
for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garments  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness,  that  the  Lord  may  be  glorified. "....Isa. 
Ki.  3. 

Ill  all  my  luirden'd  frames  of  heart.  To  tliec  alone  for  strength  I'll  cry, 

When  sin  and  sorrow  sink  me  down,  For  strength  can  come  from  none  but 

1  Mill  will  cry,  my  God  thou  art,  O  Jesu,  thou  art  ever  nigh,  [thee, 

Tli>  faithful  promises  to  own.  And  full  of  tende4-  sympathy.  M, 


APRIL  20.  113 

/  have  all  and  abound:  I  am  full. ...Phil.  iv.  18. 

Happy  Paul!  Infinitely  richer  than  the  most  opulent  monarch 
under  heaven.  Ye  poor,  wretched,  covetous  worldlings,  whose  gold 
is  your  God,  and  who  are  labouring  to  add  heap  to  heap.. ..how  long? 
till  ye  drop  into  eternity,  die  like  fools,  and  for  ever  lose  the  idols  of 
your  hearts?  behold  here  a  man  who  has  more  than  ever  you  pos- 
sessed:  he  has  all;  you  only  obtain  a  part  of  what  you  aim  at;  you 
are  still  in  want  of  more.  Rich,  happy  Paul,  possesses  all. 
"And,"  says  he,  "I  abound."  Not  in  want  and  wish,  but  in  full 
enjoyment.  "I  am  full."  I  can  contain  no  more.  He  had  "the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  for  his  portion:"  his  wealth  consisted 
in  his  mind  being  contented  with  that  as  his  greatest  treasure. 

O,  thou  poor  murmuring  disciple  of  Christ,  who  art  often  fearing 
and  distrusting,  lest  thou  shouldst  want  the  bread  that  perisheth  for 
thyself  and  family ;  and  thou,  my  soul,  who  hast  often  been  exer- 
cised with  this  sore  temptation,  learn  a  lesson  to-night  from  rich  and 
happy  Paul.     Of  all  the  men  in  the  world,  would  you  expect  to  hear 
St.  Paul  say,  "I  have  all  things  and  abound:   I  am  full?"   What!  he 
who  hath  been  in  necessities,  destitute,  in  want,  in  nakedness,  who 
like  his  master  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head,  and  was  treated  as 
the  filth  and  off-scouring  of  all  things?.... Yet  for  him  to  say,  "  I  have 
all  and  abound:   I  am  full."     O,  may  the  Lord  contract  our  wants! 
They  arc  most  of  them  more  imaginary  than  real.     Lord  enable  us 
to  be  content  with  such  things  as  we  have  !   What  are  they?  Come, 
christian,  count  up  your  riches;  look  over  the   deeds  of   your  in- 
heritance; see  what  vast  possessions  you  arc  entitled  to:  verily,  no 
less  than  what  Paul  once  had  by  faith  and  now  enjoys  in  full  pos- 
session, even  Jesus,  the  God  of  his  salvation;    Christ  is  all  in  all: 
if  he  dwells  in  your  heart  by  faith,  he  fillcth  all ;   you  have  all ;  you 
abound  in  all ;    you  are  full  of   all.     The  flesh  may  lust  for  more ; 
the  spirit  must  be  quite  satisfied  with  him;  for  all  things  are  yours; 
and  ye   are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's....  1  Cor.  iii.  23.     Learn 
hence  the  use  and  blessedness  of  your  faith  ;  it  brings  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ  into  your  heart.     When  flesh  and  sense  require 
to  be  gratified,  here  is  the  work  of  faith,  "  Put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,     and  make   not  provision   for  the   flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts- 
thereof."....Rom.  xiii.  14. 

It 
Jesu,  thou  art  all  my  treasure  :  Come,  come,  my  Lord,  O  sweetly  come, 

When  fill'd  with  thee,  1  want  no  more:  And  take  possession  of  my  heart  j 
This  is  still  my  greatest  pleasure,  Then  other  lovers  find  no  room  -. 

To  glory  in  my  heav'nly  store.  Thou,  only  thou,  my  portion  art.       M. 

Vol.  II.  P    • 


Hi  APRIL  21. 

He  that  is  of  God  hearclh  God's  icords...John  viii.  47. 

"The  words  from  Mount  Sinai,  gender  to  bondage. "....Gal. 
iv.  24.  Sonic  of  God's  children  are  kept  under  bondage  by  them: 
they  are  taught  to  look  on  themselves  only  as  servants,  not  sons 
of  God,  because  they  dare  not  say,  they  know  their  sins  forgiven. 
This  is  a  foolish,  unscriptural  distinction.  Paul  expressly  declares, 
that  every  believer  is  a  son  of  God  :  "Ye  are  all  the  children  of 
Ciod  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus."....Gal.  iii.  26.  Can  a  man  be  a 
servant  of  God  M'ithout  faith?  No;  without  faith  it  is  impossible 
to  please  God....Heb.  xi.  6.  Every  one  who  hath  faith  in  the  Son 
of  (iod,  is  a  child  of  God;  his  sins  are  as  surely  forgiven,  as  that 
Christ  died  for  sinners  ;  he  shall  never  come  into  eternal  condemna- 
tion for  tJiem,  no  more  than  if  he  had  never  committed  them :  "  this 
is  God's  ward. "....John  V.  24.  As  many  as  receive  Christ,  that  is, 
believe  on  his  name,  have  the  privilege  of  becoming  the  sons  of 
God..«John  i.  12.  How  came  they  by  this  faith  ?  "By  hearing  the 
word  of  God."....Rom.  x.  17.  Without  this  what  is  called  faith 
is  only  fancy :  the  knowing  one's  sins  to  be  forgiven,  which 
some  make  so  great  stir  about,  if  not  attained  through  the  faith  of 
God'5  word,  is  only  a  vain,  confident  delusion;  at  best,  with  them 
it  affords  but  sorry  comfort:  for,  they  say,  a  forgiven  sinner  after 
r11  may  be  damned  for  his  sins.  O,  most  dishonorable  to  the  pre- 
cious blood  which  atoned  for  them  I  Cease  yc  from  such  :  hear  God's 
word:  that  speaks  God's  truth  and  displays  his  glory,  while  it  pro- 
claims his  love  in  the  full,  free,  certain,  and  absolute  salvation  of 
sinners  by  Jesus  Christ.  He  who  heareth  this  as  God's  word,  rc- 
cciveth  this  as  God's  truth,  and  believeth  this  in  his  heart,  is  of 
God  ;  born  of  God ;  born  to  know,  love,  enjoy,  and  rejoice  in  God. 
Here  is  a  plain  mark  to  know  whether  you  belong  to  God  or  not  : 
try  yourself  by  it  to-night.  Do  you  love  God's  word?  Is  it  the  de- 
light of  your  heart  and  the  glory  of  your  soul  ?  Do  you  believe  its 
truth  and  love  to  walk  after  its  precepts?  Then,  so  sure  as  you  are 
a  son  of  Adam,  you  are  a  son  of  God:  you  will  assuredly  enjoy 
tlie  comfort  of  this,  1st.  by  studying  your  Father's  will.  2d.  lu 
walking  in  the  belief  of  your  Father's  unchangeable  love.  And,  od. 
In  living  to  your  Father's  glory:  "as  obedient  children,  not 
fashioning  yourselves  according  to  the  former  hists  in  your  igno- 
rance: but  a«  he  whiA  hath  called  you  is  holy,  so  be  ye  holy  in  all 
maimer  of  conversation."  O  Father,  speak  this  word  with  power 
to  otir  souls,  "be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy."....l  Pet.  i.  14,  15,  16. 

The  lienrinp  ear,  the  knowing  heart,  Yea,  let  us  know  and  practice  too, 
Come  both  from  thfe,  O  Lord!  Our  Lord's  most  holy  will, 

O  keep  uu  lint  we  ne'er  depart  And  shew  our  faith,  by  what  we  do, 
From  hearing  of  thy  word.  That  love  reigns  in  us  still.  M. 


APRIL  22.-  US 

Is  it  true?. ...Dan.  iii.  14. 

A  QUESTION  this  from  a  potent  monarch  backed  with  a  wrathful 
threatening:  enough  to  have  put  Shaclrach,  Meshach,  and  Abednego 
to  the  stand  ;  their  answer  must  provoke  their  God,  or  their  king. 
But  did  they  hesitate  a  moment  ?  Were  they  at  all  in  doubtful  sus- 
pence?  No;  they  had  faith  in  their  Lord,  and  they  boldly  replied, 
"  O  king,  we  are  not  careful  to  answer  thee  in  this  matter."  Our 
cause  lies  before  our  God  :  we  are  not  left  to  ourselves ;  our  present 
life,  our  immortal  soul  is  in  his  hands.  If  you  command  us  into  the 
fiery  furnace,  om-  God  will  be  with  us:  wc  shall  be  safe:  he  will 
deliver  us  :  either  our  bodies  that  we  shall  not  be  burnt  ;  or  if  they 
are,  the  burning  furnace  shall  be  only  as  a  fiery  chariot  lo  convey 
our  souls  to  heaven  and  glory.  See  the  power  of  faith :  according 
as  they  believed  so  it  was:  the  Son  of  God  was  with  them:  the  fire 
could  not  hurt  them.  Hence  consider,  1st.  That  God  may,  and 
sometimes  docs  suffer  his  dctrest  childr^to  be  brcnght  into  great 
straits,  and  threatened  with  the  greatest  dangers,  so  that  an  answer 
to  a  single  question,  may  perplex  them.  Is  it  true?  Are  you  one 
■who  follow  this  new  way  ?  Do  you  pretend  to  be  justified  by  the  Son 
of  God  only,  to  be  saved  by  the  grace  of  God  entirely,  and  to  have 
received  the  Spirit  of  Ciod  freely  ?  On  an  answer  to  ihis,  perhaps, 
depends  a  parent's  regard  or  a  friend's  kindness  :  the  one  threatens  Xo 
disinherit,  the  other  to  withdraw  his  favors.  Do  worldly  interest, 
honor  or  advantage  depend  upon  the  answer  of  the  tongue  and  the 
conduct  of  the  life?  Do  poverty  and  want  seem  to  threaten,  if  we 
.declare  ourselves  for  the  Lord  ?  Here  is  the  trial  of  faith.  Btit,  2d. 
Remember  our  Lord's  declaration  :  "VvMiosoever  shall  be  ashamed 
of  me  and  of  my  woi-ds,  in  this  adu!te<|fiis  and  sinful  generation  ;  of 
him  also  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  ashamed  when  he  cometh  in  the 
glory  of  his  Father."... .Mark  viii.  38.  Therefore,  3d.  Put  this 
question  to  your  heart.  Is  it  tr«e  that  God  is  my  Father  in  Christ 
my  Saviour?  Doth  the  Spirit  hear  witness  to  this  in  the  word  and  to 
my  heart?  Shall  I  then  so  fear  a  worm  of  the  earth  as  to  deny  the 
truth  and  forsake  that  Lord  m  ho  has  promised  he  will  never  leave  nor 
forsake  me,  and  that  they  that  seek  him  shall  not  want  any  good 
thing  ?".... Psalm  xxxiv.  10.  My  soul  starts,  nvy  heart  recoils  at  the 
thought ;  i-dllier  say,  I  will  not  fear  w  hut  man  can  do  unto  me. 
Give  up  and  foregaall  for  Christ:  soon  we  sl^l  see  these  dear  chil- 
dren :  then  they  will  tell  us  they  never  were  so Tajipy  ini||leir  lives  as 
in  the  fiery  furnace:  God  is  most  with  his  children  when  they  suffer 
most  for  him. 

O  give  TPe  courage,  clearest  Lord,  To  ttll  -hy  sacred  truth  abroad, 

Against  my  greatest  foes,  Nor  fe^r  their  tlireafning  wots. 


116  APRIL   25. 

God  left  him  to  try  hnn,  thai  lie  might  knoxv  all  that  ztas 
in  his  heart. ...2Chron.  xxxii.  31. 

Hezekiah  was^-great  and  good  man  of  God:  he  had  rich  ex- 
perience in  divine  grace:  still  he  discovers,  that  he  had  a  sinful 
nature  and  a  deceitful  heart:  though  an  eminent  saint  of  God,  yet 
pride  and  vain-glory  beset  him.  I  have  been,  led  to  think  there 
seems  a  little  of  the  spirit  of  the  Pharisee  in  his  "beseeching  the  Lord 
to  remerribcr  how  he  had  walked  before  him,  in  truth  with  a  perfect 
heart  and  done  that  which  was  good  in  his  sight."....2  Kings  xx.  3. 
At  least,  some  of  a  self-righteous  spirit  have  been  led  to  think  from 
hence  that  we  have  somewhat  in  ourselves  whereof  to  glory.  O,  if 
wc  have  walked  well  and  done  well,  we  need  not  remind  our  Lord 
of  it :  if  the  heart  is  simple  with  its  Saviour,  it  will  not:  for  it  was 
by  his  grace  we  did  so.  He  who  gives  us  grace  can  never  be  un- 
mindful of  its  effects. 

We  hear  of  Hezekiah's  sickness,  of  the  Lord's  giving  him  a  sign 
of  restoration,  of  his  sudaen  recovery,  of  his  sweet  experience,  of 
the  Lord's  dealing  with  him  in  his  sickness. ...Isa.  xxxviii.  Should 
we  not  next  expect  to  hear  of  his  perfect  love,  supreme  affection  to  the 
Lord,  and  of  his  deepest  humility  before  him  ?  But  alas  !  we  are  told, 
"  he  rendered  not  again  according  to  the  benefits  done*unto  him:" 
Why  ?  Astonishing  1  For  his  heart  was  lifted  up.  O,  Avhat 
pride  and  vain-glory  does  he  discover  in  shewing  to  the  princes  of 
Babylon  his  vast  treasure  !  Is  this  the  nian  who  so  lately  chattered 
like  a  crane  or  a  swallow,  and  mourned  like  a  dove,  whose  eyes 
failed  and  whose  tongue  cried  out :  O  Lord,  I  am  oppressed,  under- 
take for  me  ?  This  he,  who  said  I  shall  go  softly  all  my  years  in 
Ihe  bitterness  of  my  soul?  ^s,  God  left  him.  O,  if  God  leaves, 
satan  tempts  and  corruptions  rage.  What  evils  may  not  the  best 
of  men  fall  into?  Saint,  know  yourself;  consider  this.  Why  did 
God  leave  him?  Why  does  he  leave  any  of  his  dear  children  !  To  try 
them  ;  that  they  may  have  full  proof  of  their  weakness  and  vile- 
ncss  ;  that  they  may  know  all  that  is  in  their  hearts.  We  know 
but  little  of  the  latent  seeds  of  pride  and  wickedness  in  us  :  the 
Lord  withdraws  for  a  season  ;  he  suffers  devilish  pride  to  rear  its 
cursed  head,  that  he  may  wound  it  by  the  power  of  his  grace  and 
bring  the  poor  sinner  to  his  feet,  with  Hezekiah  "  to  humble  himself 
for  the  pride  of  his  heart."....2  Chron.  xxxii.  26.  Happy  those  in 
whom  such  effects  are  produced  ;  for  in  them  the  grace  of  God, 
yea  the  God.  of  grace  is  glorified. 

My  Lord,  how  wond'roas  is  thy  love,  Search  me,  O  God,  and  try  my  heart, 
So  long  with  me  to  bear:  Its  vileness  shew  to  me  : 

A  wretch  so  proud,  who  oft  hathlstrove,  Cause  all  self-glorying  to  depart, 
Glory  with  thee  to  share.  That  I  may  humble  be.  M. 


APRIL  24.  117 

Joseph  knew  his  brelJiren,  Init  they  kneic  not  hi}n....Geii. 
xlih  8. 

How  affecting  is  the  history  of  Jose|fli  I  Who  ran  read  it 
V'ithout  emotion  of  soul?  What  amazing  scenes  of  providence  open 
to  our  view  ?  Spiritual  minds  may  sec  many  things  in  it  typical  of  our 
beloved  Saviour.  Here  Joseph's  brethren  are  introduced  lo  him  as 
governor  of  Egypt ;  he  knew  them;  they  knew  not  him.  How  docs 
he  deal  with  them  ?  Does  he  instantly  make  himself  known  to  them  ? 
No:  though  he  had  the  most  tender  affections  of  heart  to  them  and 
wept  tears  of  joy  at  the  sight  of  them,  yet  he  speaks  roughly  and 
to  prison  sends  them.  Why  this?  To  bring  their  sin  to  their  mind, 
and  to  affect  them  for  their  cruelty  towards  him  with  a  deep  sense  of 
their  guilt.  See  we  not  somewhat  typical  of  the  conduct  of  Christ 
our  brother  in  the  flesh  in  all  this?  1st.  Christ  knew  us  before  we 
knew  him:  he  knew  us  from  eternity,  when  Ave  were  chosen  in  him 
and  given  to  him.  2d.  We  never  seek  ||ter  him,  or  come  to  him, 
unless  we  find  a  famine  in  our  hearts  and  are  ready  to  perish  for  want 
of  the  bread  of  life.  3d.  When  we  do  come  to  him,  does  he 
instantly  make  himself  known  to  us  and  assure  us  that  he  is  our 
Saviour?  No;  for  a  season  he  speaks  with  the  authority  of  a  Go- 
VKKNOR,  cjfuses  his  law  to  treat  us  roughly,  threatening  us  with  the 
prison  of  hell.  Why  ?  Deeply  to  affect  our  souls  M'ith  a  sense  of 
o\\\-  sins  and  deserts.  4th.  It  was  some  time,  and  many  trying  and 
afllicting  scenes  Joseph's  brethren  passed  through,  before  he  said,  I 
AM  YOUR  BROTHER.  Did  Joseph  do  them  any  real  harm  by  all  this? 
.So  our  Jesus,  though  he  proves  us  and  trys  us  and  shews  us  what  is 
in  us  before  he  gives  us  full  assurance  of  his  love  and  salvation,  intends 
nothing  but  real  good  to  us:  by  alibis  he  teaches  us  humility. 
5th.  Joseph's  brethren  did  not  at  first  come  to  him  as  their  brother, 
but  as  the  governor  of  Egypt ;  so  we  come  as  perishing  sinners  td 
Christ;  not  as  knowing  that  he  is  our  brother,  but  believing  him  td 
be  a  Saviour  and  praying  him  to  save  us  :  we  have  faith  in  him  before 
■we  have  the  assurance  of  his  love  to  us,  and  know  that  we  are  his 
brethren.  Lastly,  all  the  blessings  and  comforts  of  Joseph's  brethren 
flowed  from  his  knowledge  of  them ;  so  does  all  our  safety  and  com- 
fort in  time  and  eternity  spring  from  Christ's  first  knowing  and  losing 
ns  as  his  brethren.  Though  true  faith  may  be  without  special  assu- 
rance of  interest  in  Christ,  yet  Christ  assurea»us,  "  I  will  manifest 
myself  unto  you. "....John  xiv.  21. 

'Tis  all  ray  comfort  kere  below,  This  world  with  all  its  pompous  show, 

To  know  my  Saviour's  love  :  I  leave  for  joys  above.  M. 


118  APRIL   25. 

Aivake  to  righteousness  and  sin  not... A  Cor.  xv.  54. 

What  Paul  says  of  natural  death,  " some  are  fallen  asleep.".... 
1  Cor.  XV.  6....rr»ay  be  applied  in  a  spiritual  sense  to  professors  : 
there  arc  many  such  in  this  day  ;  il  is  a  very  bad  frame  to  live  in  and 
indulge  :  such  bring  no  honor  to  God,  credit  to  the  gospel,  or  profit 
to  their  brethren.  One  would  think,  such  sit  all  the  year  under  that 
v'ord  and  heartily  obey  it,  "  sleep  on  and  take  your  rest."  Can  such 
be  said  to  l)e  running  the  heavenly  race,  fighting  the  good  fight  of 
faith,  Avrestling  with  spiritual  enemies,  and  pressing  towards  the  mark 
forthc  prize  of  their  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus?  No;  no  more 
timn  a  man  in  a  midnight  sleep  can  be  said  to  be  active  in  wordly 
affairs  :  but  what  is  worst  of  all,  such  sleepers  dream  that  all  is  safe 
and  well  with  them. 

Paul,  like  a  faithful  watchman,  cries  out  to  such  awake  :  "  how 
long  wilt  thou  sleep,  O  sluggard  ?  When  wilt  thou  arise  out  of  thy 
sleep  ?"  Wlmt  do  they  answer  ?  "  Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little  slumber, 
a  little  folding  cf  the  hands  to  sleep.".. ..Prov.  ri.  10.  If  you  jog 
them  and  strive  to  arouse  them  to  the  exercise  of  grace  and  the 
discharge  of  duty,  tliey  will  answer  in  a  sleepy  fit,  "  We  know  the 
doctrines  of  grace,  do  not  disturb  us  with  your  legal  notions  about 
sin  and  righteousness."  Good  Lord  keep  our  souls  from  such  a 
dreadful  frnme  :  take  heed,  O  christian,  of  such  :  beware  you  get 
no  harm  of  them,  so  as  to  catch  the  infection  from  them  and  lie 
down  to  sleep  by  them.  From  whence  do  such  sleepy  frames  pro- 
ceed ?  •  1st.  Says  wisdom,  "slothfulness  casteth  into  a  deep  sleep.".... 
Prov.  xix.  15.  Slothfulness  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord  will  bring  on 
deep  sleep  of  soul.  2d.  Sitting  under  drowsy,  lethargic  preachers, 
who  aim  more  to  fill  the  hfjpd  ^vith  notions  of  light  than  to  warn> 
tlie  heart  by  the  fire  of  love.  3d.  Love  of  this  world  and  eager  pur- 
suits after  the  riches,  honors  and  pleasures  of  it  are  sleei)ing  opiatesi 
to  the  soul.  O  christian,  consider  the  unintermitting  zeal  and  activity 
of  thy  Lord  for  thy  salvation  1  Wrestle  hard  w  ith  him  to  quicken 
and  keep  thy  soul  alive  to  righteousness,  that  thou  niayest  not  sin  to 
dishonor  him  ;  but  live  and  walk,  love  and  obey,  so  as  to  glorify  him. 
Lord  let  us  never  loose  our  feeling  convictions  of  the  exceeding 
sinfulness  of  sin,  and  the  dreadful  effects  of  it  upon  our  souls.  O, 
let  conscience  rather  smart  with  pain  than  sleep  in  stupid  security.. 

My  God,  awake  my  clro#sy  soul,  The  licavy  chains  of  cavnal  sloth, 

ImportiiU  truths  to  see  :  Lord,  from  my  mind  remove  : 

Viih  fplritandlife  mv  i)o\v'iscoiitroul,  Make  me  to  feel  thy  heav'uly  tnilh, 
1"o  walk  ill  "eve  with  thee.  In  all  its  pow'r  and  love.  M. 


APRIL  26.  119 

I  will  put  a  division  belzceen  my  people  ^   and  thy  people: 
to-mart'ow  shall  this  sign  be....Exod.  viii.23. 

Thus  speaks  the  soverei8;n  Jehovah  to  the  haughty,  stubborn 
monarch  Pharaoh.  Loving  children  delight  to  treasure  up  in  their 
memories  the  words  of  an  aft'eclionate  father  ;  they  love  to  reflect 
on  them  and  draw  comfort  from  them.  O,  that  we  may  do  so 
to-nit-;ht  by  this  speech  of  our  heavenly  Father  1  Consider,  1st. 
Here  is  a  people,  distinguished  from  a  people  :  the  Lord  has  a  peo- 
ple among  a  people,  chosen  out  of  a  people  :  these  he  peculiarly 
calls  his  own,  my  people:  they  are  so  by  everlasting  love,  eternal 
choice,  and  covenant  grace.  2d.  Though  near  and  dear  as  they 
are  to  the  Lord,  yet  they  may  for  a  season  continue  under  the  power 
of,  and  suficr  oppression  from  their  enemies.  Though  the  love  of 
the  Lord  s  heart  is  ever  set  upon  you  and  the  eye  of  his  providence 
is  ever  over  you,  yet  he  may  seem  to  leave  you.  O,  tarry  the  Lord's 
leisure  and  be  strong  ;  though  deliverance  stay,  yet  wait  for  it ; 
the  Lord  will  surely  appear.  For,  3d.  The  Lord  puts  a  division 
between  his  people  and  others  ;  he  separates  them  by  his  power, 
calls  them  by  his  grace,  and  according  to  his  rich  mercy  divides 
ihem  from  the  wicked  ;  or  as  it  is  in  the  margin,  puts  a  reiu.wp- 
TioN  lietween  them.  O  believer,  there  is  not  a  plague  which  you 
deserve  and  others  suffer,  but  the  redemption  of  Jesus  stands  be- 
tween, has  averted  from  you,  and  therefore  can  never  fall  upon  you: 
precious  indeed  beyond  conception  or  expression  is  this  redemption; 
it  shall  be  manifest  so  to  be.     For,  4th.  There  is  a  set  time  for  it : 

TO-MORROW    SHALL     THIS     SIGV     BE.       Ah  I    SOUl,    tO-duy  thoU    SCCSt 

the  wicked  in  great  prosperity,  not  burdened  with  sin,  harrasscd  with 
teniptation,  and  bowed  down  with  sorrow  as  thou  art.  Do  not 
elivy  but  pity  them  ;  remember  thy  Lord's  words  to-morrow,  and  his 
yign  :  I'aul  gives  it  you,  ''in  nothing  be  terrified  by  your  adversa- 
ries, Mhich  is  to  them  an  evident  token  of  perdition,  but  to  you  of 
salvation,  and  that  of  God. "....Phil.  i.  28.  O,  study  this  precious 
text :  there  is  much  sweetness  in  it.  Have  you  adversaries  for 
Christ's  sake  ?  It  is  now  evident  they  are  in  a  state  of  perdition, 
but  you  of  salvation  :  the  Lord  is  at  hand.  O  love,  look  and  long 
for  his  appearing :  rejoice  in  his  cross,  which  is  the  sign  of  your 
salvation  ;  by  that  you  shall  overcome  ;  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  Christ. "....Gal.  vi.  14.  And  see  that 
while  you  glory  in  the  cross,  strive  to  "  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
your  Saviour  in  all  things. "....Tit.  ii.  10. 

To-day  the  wicked  great  and  strong,  Cheer  up  my  soul,  be  not  dismay'd, 
Hector  the  saints  of  God  :  Christ  thy  redemption  is : 

To  morrow  God  will  change  their  song,  His  sov'reign  pow'r,  his  saving  aid 
111  hell  their  dark  abod.-.  Shall. snatch  thy  soul  to  bliss.        M» 


i:o  APRIL  2r. 

That  your  love  nuiy  abound  yet  more  and  more  in  knoW' 
ledge,  and  in  all  judgment.... Pliil.  i.  9. 

The  soul  that  is  not  concerned  that  it  may  be  so  with  him  is 
not  alive  to  God.  We  see  many  professors  who  have  lost  a  warm 
sense  and  comfortable  feeling  of  divine  truths  ;  but  are  they  deeply 
concerned  for  it  t  Do  they  earnestly  wrestle  with  God  fervently, 
crying  out,  O  that  it  were  with  me  as  in  months  past  ?  Alas  !  No  : 
they  say  we  are  not  called  to  live  upon  our  frames  and  feelings. 
Very  true  ;  neither,  blessed  be  God,  are  we  called  to  live  without 
warm  frames  and  comfortable  feelings.  O,  let  us  beware  lest  we 
despise  the  comforts  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Some  professors  by  their 
spirit  and  conduct  remind  one  of  the  fox  in  the  fable,  who  lost  his 
tail  in  a  trap  and  told  his  brethren  he  run  so  much  the  lighter  without 
it :  so  some  having  lost  their  warm  and  lively  feelings,  think  little 
about  them,  and  seem  to  say  they  can  run  well  without  them.  Truly 
so  they  do  ;  but  not  in  the  ways'of  the  Lord,  but  in  the  way's  of  the 
world,  of  sin  and  folly  ;  they  awfully  take  up  with  other  frames 
and  feelings,  not  of  a  spiritual,  but  of  a  carnal  and  sensual  nature. 
O  christian,  pity  such  ;  bless  the  Lord  if  he  has  kept  you  from 
thus  falling,  and  that  this  text  is  the  prayer  of  your  soul.  1st. 
"  That  your  love  may  abound  more  and  more."  To  whom  ?  To  the 
God  of  love ;  to  the  Son  of  his  love  ;  to  the  Spirit,  the  shedder 
forth  of  his  love  ;  and  to  all  the  children  of  his  love  ;  yea,  with  a 
love,  of  pity  to  all  men.  O,  this  is  a  most  precious  frame  to  live  and 
die  in!  But,  2d,  How  is  love  to  abound?  1st.  "In  knowledge:" 
the  more  we  know  and  believe  the  everlasting  love  of  God  the 
Father,  the  everlasting  salvation  of  God  the  Son,  and  the  everlast- 
ing consolation  of  God  the  Spirit,  real  love  is  increased  to  Jehovah 
and  to  our  brethren  in  Christ.  Do  not  set  love  Ijefore  knowledge  ; 
do  not  think  knowledge  contrary  to  love,  or  that  love  abounds  by 
ignorance.  2,d.  "  In  all  judgment,"  or  sense  and  feeling,  as  in  the 
margin  of  some  bibles.  Insensible  love,  unfclt  love,  is  a  strange 
kind  of  passion.  My  dear  brethren,  you  who  like  me  have  warm 
passions,  let  us  pruy  God  our  love  may  as  sensibly  be  felt  as  our 
anger,  and  may  daily  abound  over  it :  yea  over  all  our  sins  ;  over 
the  love  of  the  world  ;  over  every  enemy  to  the  leve  of  our  Christ 
und  to  the  glory  of  our  God  :  "  be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be 
of  one  mind,  life  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be 
with  you.". ...2  Cor.  xiii.  11. 

'Tis  sweet  byfuitk  to  know  Christ's       Lord  make  me  daily  know  and  feel, 
As  taught  us  by  his  sacred  word  .[love,  Religion's  more  than  em])ty  name  : 
Tis  sweeter  still,  when  from  above,     'Tis  love  and  joy  unspeakable. 
We  feci  its  comforts  shed  abroad.         To  live  by  faith  upon  the  Lamb.       M 


APRIL  28.  121 

Dew  id  said  in  his  hearty  I  shall  now  perish  one  day  by  the 
hand  of  Satd... .1  Safn.  xxv'ii.  1. 

Who  will  say,  that  from  the  nature  and  reason  of  things,  David 
had  not  cause  to  think  so  ?  The  king's  wrath  was  incensed  against 
him ;  "  The  wrath  of  a  king  is  as  messengers  of  death ;  yea,  as  the 
roaring  of  a  lion."....Prov.  xvi.  14.  xix.  12.  Saul  wanted  neither 
policy  nor  power  to  execute  his  cruel  designs  upon  David  ;  but  only, 
he  must  have  permission  from  David's  Lord  before  he  could  hurt  a 
single  hair  of  his  head.  Poor  David's  heart  seems  to  forget  this, 
when  in  a  fit  of  fear  and  frame  of  unbelief,  he  says,  "  I  shall  now 
one  day  perish  by  the  hand  of  Saul."  Now,  only  think,  "  the  Lord 
had  appointed  and  anointed  David  to  be  king,  and  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  came  upon  him  from  that  day  forward."....!  Sam.  xvi.  12,  IS. 
Yet,  we  here  find  him  doubting  the  truth  of  what  had  passed,  giving 
way  to  unbelief,  and  suspecting  that  the  Lord's  purpose  might  be 
prevented  by  Saul's  malice  in  destroying  him ;  as  though  Saul's 
arm  was  stronger  to  destroy  than  the  Lord's  to  save,  or  Saul's 
hatred  against  him  greater  than  the  Lord's  love  for  him.  What  an 
enemy  is  unbelief  to  God's  glory  and  the  comfort  of  his  beloved 
children  !  The  holiest  of  God's  saints  are  not  totally  freed  from  its 
malign  influence.  See  it  in  David,  see  it  in  thyself,  and  be  ashamed  ; 
for,  art  thou  a  David,  a  beloved  of  the  Lord  ?  Art  thou  also  anoiited 
by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  to  be  a  king  unto  God  ?....Rev.  i.  6.  Yet 
didst  thou  never  say  in  thine  heart,  "  I  shall  one  day  perish  by  the 
hand  of  mine  enemies  ?"  I  shall  never  arrive  at  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Yea,  art  thou  thinking  or  saying  so  now  ?  Then  be  ashamed 
of  thyself  for  thus  dishonoring  thy  Lord's  love,  calling  in  question 
his  grace,  suspecting  his  power,  and  slighting  his  Spirit;  as  though 
the  power  of  sin,  satan  and  the  world  were  greater  than  thy  Lord's, 
and  could  frustrate  his  gracious  purposes  towards  thee.  O  think,  it 
is  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  which  hath  redeemed  thee  from  all 
thy  sins ;  it  was  the  Spirit  of  God  that  quickened  thy  soul  when 
dead  in  sin  ;  it  was  his  grace  that  brought  thee  to  Jesus  for  salvation ; 
and  all  this  because  the  Father  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love. 
Now  set  all  this  against  all  the  powers  of  sin  and  darkness,  and  say, 
which  is  greatest?  Who  shall  prevail?  Look  not  to  thy  own  strength; 
depend  not  on  thy  own  graces ;  be  not  over-elated  by  thy  fine  frames : 
be  not  dejected  under  dark  ones :  "  trust  in  the  Lord  for  ever,  for  in 
the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength."....Isa.  xxvi.  4. 

How  many  fears  our  souls  distress,  O  Lord  give  faith,  and  faith's  increase> 
Through  cursed  unbelief!  To  trust  thee  ev'ry  hour, 

Save  us,  O  Lord,  our  righteousness,  That  we  may  feel  our  hearts  at  ease, 
From  this  malignant  thief.  Thro' thine  almighty  pow'r.      M. 

Vol.  IL  Q 


122  APRIL   29. 

Believe  in  the  Lord  rjour  God,  so  shall  ye  be  established. 
Believe  h  is  prophets,  so  shall  ye  prosper. . .  .2  Chron .  xx .  20, 

Si'CH  was  the  advice  of  good  Jehoshaphat  in  a  time  of  invasion 
by  a  poAverful  ainiy.  Precious  words;  at  all  times  seasonable. 
What  can  a  child  of  God  desire  on  this  side  glory  so  much  as  estab- 
lishment of  mind  and  prosperity  of  soul  ?  Both  are  obtained  by  faith  ; 
as  the  mind  is  established  so  the  soul  prospers.  1st.  What  is  implied 
in  being  established?  It  is  to  be  fixed  and  settled  in  the  confidence 
of  one's  mind  and  not  to  halt  between  two  opinions,  as  those  of  old 
did  between  God  and  an  idol....l  Kings  xviii.  21.  To  halt  is  to  be 
lame  on  both  sides ;  thus  their  minds  were  in  suspense,  agitated 
between  two  objects,  and  not  steadily  fixed  upon  either;  so  many 
sincere  souls  are  tossed  to  and  fro  by  every  wind  of  doctrine ;  they 
are  like  children,  not  steadily  fixed  in  their  judgment,  nor  settled  in 
their  confidence  in  the  Lord;  yet  they  delight  to  hear  the  truths  of 
(.iod:  in  hearing  their  souls  are  refreshed;  but  when  hearing  is 
cvtr,  their  minds  are  shaken,  their  doubts  and  fears  again  return.  O 
fice  and  rejoice,  for,  2d.  the  Lord  himself  is  set  forth  as  the  object 
of  our  faith;  believe,  or  trust  in  the  Lord  your  God;  nothing  can 
establish  the  soul  but  faith.  Lord  increase  our  faith :  and  to  prayer 
wc  should  add  earnest  diligence  in  searching  the  scriptures,  con- 
sidering the  freeness,  fulness,  and  suitableness  of  the  promises  of 
the  Lord  to  us.  To  believe  in  the  Lord,  is  to  trust  in  and  repose 
our  n^inds  upon  his  covenant-grace  and  love  in  Christ  Jesus:  to  take 
Itim,  as  he  has  revealed  himself,  as  our  God  and  Father:  to  trust 
uur  souls  and  all  our  concerns  in  his  hands,  just  as  little  children  do 
by  their  fathers.  Their  minds  have  no  doubt  of  their  Father's  love 
to  them;  v/hcn  they  want  any  thing  they  ask  for  it;  when  in  soriwy 
they  tell  him  of  it;  and  yet,  what  parent  on  earth  has  such  an  heart 
of  love  to  his  children  as  our  heavenly  Father  has  to  us?  Did  any 
one  ever  so  freely,  fully,  and  affectionately  manifest  it?  Be  ashamed 
•of  your  unbelief  which  keeps  your  souls  from  being  established  in  his 
grace  and  truth  :  "  it  is  a  good  thing  that  the  heart  be  established  witl* 
grace. "....Ileb.  xiii.  9.  Do  we  desire  it,  that  our  souls  may  prosper  ? 
■^Ihen  "believe  his  prophets :"  they  testify  of  God  the  Father's 
love ;  of  God  the  Son's  salvation ;  and  of  peace  and  joy  in  God  the 
Holy  Ghost.  Hear  them  and  your  soul  shall  be  established  in  grace: 
believe  them  and  your  soul  shall  prosper  in  comfort. 

How  oft  do  fears  beset  my  heart,  Establish,  Lord,  my  heart  in  faith, 
That  I  shall  surely  fall,  Firm  in  thy  truth  to  stand: 

A  prey  to  satan's  deadly  art,  Daily  to  live  on  what  thou  saith, 
And  looac  my  Christ,  my  all !  VVliile  in  this  barren  land.         M. 


APRIL  30.  12J 

Strong  meat  beloiigeth  to  them  that  are  of  full  age,  even 
those  loho  by  reason  of  use,  have  their  senses  exercised  to 
discern  both  good  and  eviL...IIeb.  v.  14. 

It  is  hard  for  any  who  are  called  to  minister  in  or  write  about 
the  truths  of  God,  to  please  every  one.  Bcibes  who  are  unskilful  in 
the  word  of  righteousness,  can  only  take  milk  :  they  cry  out  against 
strong  meat,  it  offends  their  stomach.  But  such  should  consider,  1st. 
That  they  are  not  always  to  continue  babes,  to  feed  upon  pap  and 
milk  ;  the  tender  mother  tries  her  infant  again  and  again  with  meat 
though  its  stomach  heaves  against  it  and  it  has  not  the  art  to  swallow 
it ;  so  they  must  learn  to  eat  strong  meat  that  they  may  grow  there- 
by. 2d.  God's  children  are  not  all  of  equal  age,  therefore  strong 
meat  is  as  necessary  for  adult  men  as  milk  is  for  babes :  those  of  full 
age,  or  perfect.  Not  so,  compared  A\ith  the  perfect  law  of  God  : 
there  is  no  one  upon  earth  perfect  in  this  sense,  though  many  through 
perfect  ignorance  of  the  law  and  themselves,  pretend  to  it:  but  per- 
FKCT  in  comparison  of  babes,  respecting  the  knowledge  of  the  ever- 
lasting, electing,  immutable  love  of  God  in  Christ  to  sinners;  of  his 
freely  and  fully  justifying  and  eternally  glorifying  them  through  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of  his  Son ;  and  of  his  eifeclually  calling 
and  sanctifying  them  by  his  Spirit,  Sec.  Therefore,  3d.  The  most 
deep  and  strong  truths  of  God  are  held  forth  in  scripture  as  strong 
meat  to  nourish,  comfort  and  build  up  such  who  are  of  full  age: 
hence  it  becomes  those  who  labor  in  the  word  to  give  each  their  por- 
tion ;  that  neither  babes  on  one  hand,  nor  strong  men  on  the  other, 
•  should  have  reasen  to  find  fault.  Babes  should  not  expect  the  strong 
to  come  back  to  their  food ;  but  they  should  press  forward  to  maturity. 
How  is  this  to  be  attained?  1st.  "By  reason  of  use:"  constantly 
searching  the  scriptures,  and  hearing  them  opened  and  explained, 
just  as  a  learner  uses  his  grammar  which  contains  the  rudiments 
of  the  language  he  wants  to  attain  ;  he  cannot  get  forward  without  it: 
he  must  be  perfect  in  it :  he  is  never  to  forget  its  rules.  2d .  "  By 
the  exercise  of  the  senses:*'  the  internal  ones  of  the  understand- 
ing and  judgment:  "Seeing  Jesus."... .Heb.  ii.  9.  "Hearing  his 
voice.".. .. John  X.  3.  Smelling  the  sweet  odour  of  his  love  :  "his 
name  is  as  ointment  poured  forth. ".... Song  i.  3.  "Tasting  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious."....  1  Pet.  ii.  3.  "  Handling  the  word  of  life 
and  salvation  as  held  forth  in  the  gospel."....!  John  i.  1.  Thus  exer- 
cising our  senses  on  Christ  we  grow  strong  to  trust  him:  we  discern 
that  all  good  is  in  him  and  all  is  evil  without  him. 

From  blest  experience  may  vre  prove    Who  feeds  with  meat  that's  from  above. 
The  wisdom  of  God's  righteous  ways,  According  to  our  strength  and  days. 


\U  MAY   I. 

They  shall  lake  to  them  every  man  a  lamb....Exod,  xfi.  5. 

This  M-as  God's  appointed  means  of  salvation  in  a  night  of  sore 
destruction.  Here  is  a  display  of  the  sovereignty  of  God  and  the 
obedience  of  faith.  Lord  enable  us  to  bow  to  the  one  and  to  learn 
more  and  more  of  the  other.  Consider,  1st.  The  sovereignty  of  God 
in  his  SEVERITY  upon  his  enemies  and  in  his  goodness  to  his  people : 
in  destroying  all  the  first-born  of  the  former,  and  in  preserving 
every  one  of  the  latter  :  and  this  was  in  a  way  appointed  by  his  sove- 
reign mercy.  There  is  no  mercy  from  God  to  any  sinner,  but  in 
the  M'ay  he  appoints.  This  was  a  lamb  :  "They  shall  take  to  them 
every  man  a  lamb."  His  flesh  was  to  be  their  food,  his  blood  their 
salvation.  Would  not  taking  the  flesh  and  blood  of  any  other  crea- 
ture have  answered  the  same  end  ?  No  :  to  attempt  it  would  hare 
been  a  direct  act  of  unbelief  of  God's  word  and  disobedience  to  his 
will ;  such  a  soul  would  have  brought  upon  himself  swift  destruction. 
O,  beware  lest  you  turn  your  eyes  from  the  Lamb  of  God  :  there 
is  salvation  in  no  other.  See,  2d.  The  obedience  of  faith :  we  do  not 
find  one  Israelite  destroyed  ;  they  believed  God's  word,  and  obeyed 
it:  they  did  not  dare  to  reply  against  God  and  say,  wriAT  dost 
THOU  ?  Why  wilt  thou  ?  Is  it  just  to  destroy  so  many  souls  in  one 
night  ?  Why  take  a  lamb  and  sprinkle  his  blood  as  our  protection  ? 
Why  institute  this  sign  to  us  only,  and  not  to  the  Egyptians  also  ? 
Why  not  give  them  at  least  a  chance  of  salvation  ?  O,  the  power  of 
faith  !  It  kills  such  arrogant  speeches.  The  grace  of  faith  in  the 
heart  subdues  the  enmity  of  the  carnal  mind,  bows  the  rebellious 
will,  stills  the  turbulency  of  nature,  brings  peace  to  the  conscience 
and  love  to  the  heart :  for  it  takes  and  feeds  upon  the  flesh,  and  trusts 
alone  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world  :  this  is  God's  appointed  way  of  salvation.  O,  how 
simple,  how  happy,  is  the  believing  soul  1  God  and  he  are  perfectly 
agreed.  God  says,  "  take  the  Lamb,  my  beloved  Son,  as  my  free 
gift  for  your  whole  salvation."  The  Lamb  says,  "  my  flesh  is  meat 
indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  indeed.".... John  vi.  5  5.  And  the 
obedient  sinner  says.  Lord  I  believe,  help  my  unbelief.  Dost  thou 
believe  ?  Hast  thou  experienced  this  I  O,  bless  the  loving  Spirit 
for  the  gift  of  precious  faith  !  Faith  is  the  gift  of  God  ;  feed  by 
faith  on  the  Lamb  of  God  :  thus  take,  thus  receive,  thus  live  upon 
Christ  and  his  fulness  every  day  on  earth  till  you  see  his  face  in 
glory.     Yet  a  little  while  and  he  shall  come....Heb.  x.  37. 

There  is  salvation  in  the  Lamb,  Christ  is  my  food,  my  robe,  my  joy, 

For  sinners  vile  as  me  :  I  take  him  thus  by  faith ; 

1  glory  in  his  precious  name,  No  foes  can  e'er  my  soul  destroy, . 

And  loBg  his  face  to  see.  Christ  is  my  life,  my  health.    M. 


MAY   2.  125 

}J  any  man  sufer  as  a  christian^  let  him  not  be  ashamed; 
but  let  him  'glorify  God  on  this  behalf  ...A  Pet.  iv.  16. 

"The  disciples  were  first  called  christians  at  Antioch."....Act3 
xi.  26.  It  is  a  blessed  name ;  we  ought  ever  to  glory  in  it,  and 
never  be  ashamed  of  it ;  but  the  bare  name  will  no  more  avail  us  in 
life,  death  and  judgment,  than  to  be  called  rich  while  we  are  in 
pinching  want.  Christ  signifies  anoikted:  "He  was  anointed  to 
be  our  Saviour."....Acts  x.  S8.  All  who  are  saved  by  him  and  come 
to  him,  are  his  anointed  ones.  So  St.  John  speaks  of  all  Christ's 
living  members,  "ye  have  an  unction  from  the  Holy  One."....l  John 
ii.  20.  To  anoint  is  to  consecrate  and  set  apart  for  holy  and  spiritual 
purposes.  Christians  are  consecrated  and  set  apart  from  the  rest  of 
the  world,  to  be  a  people  peculiarly  devoted  to  the  glory  of  Jesus; 
they  are  the  jewels  which  compose  his  mediatorial  crown.  Are  you 
thus  higlily  honored  by  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory?  Is  your  soul 
anointed  by  the  Spirit  of  Christ?  Then  verily  the  world  will  also 
anoint  you  with  their  spirit;  the  more  the  unction  of  the  Holy  One 
is  manifest  in  your  walk  and  conversation,  so  much  the  more  will  the 
wicked  one  and  his  children  bespatter  and  besmear  your  character 
with  reproach  and  imfamy :  thus  you  will  be  sure  to  suffer  as  a  chris- 
tian; at  least  in  your  good  name.  This  must  be  cast  out  as  evil. 
Only  take  heed  that  you  sufler  as  a  christian;  that  it  be  for  con- 
fessing Christ  and  adorning  his  gospel.  As  you  love  Christ,  and 
have  a  tender  concern  for  his  glory,  O  let  him  not  be  wounded  and 
his  cause  dishonored  by  any  unholy,  unjust,  immoral  actions,  &,c. 
Remember,  the  men  of  the  world  are  vulture-eyed  to  your  faults, 
glad  to  espy  and  eager  to  proclaim  them  with  an  air  of  triumph, 
saying,  "see  here,  th«se  are  your  christians."  But  if  you  really 
do  sufler  as  a  christian  who  have  given  up  yourself  to  be  a  disciple 
of  Christ,  art  following  him  in  the  regeneration,  and  therefore  art 
the  butt  of  contempt  and  a  mark  to  be  shot  at  by  the  prophane  wit  of 
ungodly  men :  be  not  ashamed  :  be  not  confounded :  do  not  hang 
down  your  head  with  fear,  but  look  up  to  God  with  joy :  glorify  hini 
for  thus  honoring  you:  remember  on  whose  behalf  you  suffer:  put 
all  your  sufferings  for  Christ  to  his  account :  you  have  Christ's  note 
of  hand;  he  will  surely  pay  it:  but  if  you  are  ashamed,  it  is  a  sign 
you  cannot  credit  him.  What !  is  the  credit  of  Jesus,  the  God  of 
truth,  bad  in  your  eyes  ?  Be  ashamed  for  want  of  faith  to  trust 
him:  meditate  often  on  that  day,  when  Christ  shall  come,  in  the 
glory  of  his  Father,  to  confess  them  who  now  confess  him....Luk0 
xii.  8. 

Dear  Lord,  who  suffered  once  for  ni«    So  fill  my  mind  with  love  to  thee. 
Upon  the  shameful  cross,  To  count  no  shame  my  loss.      M. 


126  MAY  3. 

li'ith  his  stripes  ice  are  /icalcc{....Is4.  liii.  5, 

A  GRKAT  professor  once  said  to  me,  "  I  can  never  conceive  how 
one  man  can  be  made  righteous  by  the  righteousness  of  another." 
Thus  his  carnal  reason  led  him  lo  object  against  Christ's  righteous- 
ness being  imputed  to  us.  I  replied,  why  then  do  you  profess  to 
believe  that  your  sins  can  be  washed  away  by  the  blood  of  another  r 
He  was  silent.  "  Without  controversy,  great  is  the  mystery  of  godli- 
ness:" too  great  a  mystery  for  human  reason  to  comprehend,  but 
•not  too  great  for  divine  faith  to  receive,  to  the  joy  of  the  soul.  Sin 
is  a  malignant  and  mortal  disease:  the  soul  must  die  eternally  of  it, 
unless  healed:  this  healing  the  soul  is  the  pardoning  of  sin;  this 
is  obtained  by  the  stripes  of  Christ.  You  feel  the  evil  of  sin:  you 
mourn  over  the  guilt  of  sin :  you  groan  under  the  burden  of  in-dwell- 
ing sin,  from  day  to  day.  The  Spirit  of  truth,  the  comforter, 
here  holds  forth  a  blessed  remedy  for  you  to  look  to  for  pardon  of 
sin,  peace  of  conscience,  and  healing  of  soul:  the  stripes  of 
Jesus  :  just  as  though  the  Lord  proclaimed  to  a  world  of  diseased 
sinners,  "  this  is  your  only  remedy,  so  sure  as  you  are  sinners  and 
feel  sin  in  your  nature,  so  truly  did  the  Son  of  God  take  upon  him 
the  SAME  nature,  had  all  your  sins  laid  upon  and  imputed  to  him, 
and  in  that  nature  was  cursed  by  the  law  as  a  malefactor,  wounded, 
bruised  and  put  to  death  by  divine  justice,  as  the  greatest  sinner  by 
imputation  that  ever  lived  :  that  hereby  your  sins,  all  your  sins,  are 
fully  pardoned,  and  your  souls  as  perfectly  healed  of  the  disease  of 
sin  as  though  it  had  never  infected  you  :  look  to  any  thing  but  the 
stripes  of  Christ,  and  you  will  be  miserable  :  look  to  these  only  and 
alone,  and  you  shall  find  health,  joy  and  salvation."  Sin-sick  soul, 
what,  say  est  thou  to  this?  "Lord  increase  my  faith."  That  is  a 
precious  prayer  :  that  dear  Lord  who  suffered  stripes  for  thy  sin  that 
thou  mightest  be  healed  of  thy  sins  ;  that  dear  Spirit  who  convinced 
thee  of  sin  and  made  thee  sick  of  sin,  will  surely  answer  the  prayer 
of  faith  and  give  thee  the  joy  of  faith,  and  thou  shalt  say,  "  Bless 
the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits;  who  forgiveth 
all  thine  iniquities,  and  healeth  all  thy  diseases.".. ..Psalm  ciii.  2,  3. 
O,  what  a  marvellous  way  is  this  of  healing  our  souls  1  It  is  God's 
way.  Unconvinced  sinners  care  not  about  it ;  proud,  self-righteous 
souls  reject  it ;  licentious  spirits  abuse  it ;  believing,  humble  hearts 
rejoice  in  it,  give  Christ  the  glory  of  it,  and  walk  worthy  of  the 
Lord,  to  all  pleasing.. ..Col.  i.  10. 

Strict  justice  Christ  hath  satisfied.  This  is  the  faith  which  works  by  lov» 
By  pains,  and  stripes,  and  death:  Of  our  dear  sulT'ring  Lord  : 

By  these  our  souls  are  justiticd,  It  lifts  our  souls  to  joys  above, 
And  comforted  in  faith.  Obeys  his  holy  word.  M. 


MAY  4.  12r 

Wherefore  take  unto  you  the  whole  armour  of  GoU,  that  ye 
may  be  able  to  zvithstand  in  the  evil  day,  and  having  done 
all  to  stand. ...Ephes.  vi.  J  3. 

Paul  was  an  experienced  veteran  in  the  camp  of.  Christ ;  he 
had  been  in  many  campaigns  ;  fought  many  battles  under  the  cap- 
tain of  his  salvation,  ap:ainst  his  combined  enemies,  the  world,  the 
flesh  and  the  devil ;  he  warns  his  fellow-soldiers  of  their  foes  and 
dangers,  by  exhorting  them  to  take  and  put  on  nothing  less  than  the 
whole  armour  of  God.  The  very  same  armour  which  he  himself 
fought  in  is  provided  for  us  also.  Blessed  be  God  for  that :  as  sure 
as  Paul  fought  his  way  through,  and  is  got  safe  to  glory,  so  shall  we 
also  in  this  armour  of  God.  O  christian,  consider  this  is  not  an 
armour  of  flesh  and  blood,  not  what  is  natural  to  man,  or  is  in  tl^.e 
power  of  man  to  provide  for  himself;  but  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the 
God  of  the  armies  of  the  whole  earth,  hath  provided  it  for  all  Christ's 
good  soldiers.  What  is  this  armour  of  God  ?  It  is  the  Son  of  his 
love,  the  Lord  Jesus  himself;  he  is  the  christian's  whole  and  com- 
plete armour  :  in  Christ  alone  he  stands  his  ground,  fights  and  con- 
quers every  enemy  :  without  Christ  we  can  do  nothing  but  faint  and 
fly.  Take  this  whole  armour  :  put  it  on  saith  Paul :  Christ  is 
yours  ;  he  is  the  gift  of  God  to  you  ;  "  put  on  the  Lord  Jksus." 
....Rom.  xiii.  14.  Just  as  one  puts  on  armour  for  defence,  so  take, 
put  on,  arm  your  minds  with  the  whole  person  of  Christ,  his  love, 
righteousness  and  atonement,  all  his  ofTices,  yea,  the  whole  salva- 
tion of  Christ :  this,  and  nothing  but  this,  what  Christ  is  to  us 
iind  hath  done  for  us,  is  proof  against  every  enemy  in  the  evil  day 
of  battle.  That  ye  may  be  able  to  stand.  O  soldier,  Christ 
is  your  strength;  your  standing  is  by  his  power.  Against  all 
THK  WILES  OF  THE  DEVIL.  Is  satan  very  cunning  and  very  power- 
ful, full  of  force  and  fraud  ?  Is  he  too  much  for  you  to  resist  and 
conquer  ?  Remember,  Christ  is  your  whole  armour  :  all  wisdom 
lies  in  the  head  ;  Christ  is  your  head  ;  he  is  to  you  made  wisdom  ; 
all  courage  comes  from  the  heart ;  "  Christ  dwells  there  by  faith.".... 
Eph.  iii.  17.  Thus  armed  you  are  a  match,  an  over-match  for  the 
devil,  and  proof  against  all  his  devices  ;  you  never  can  fall,  fail 
or  be  wounded,  while  fighting  in  his  armour,  "  for  you  shall  be 
strengthened  by  the  Spirit's  might,  in  the  inner  man."  Satan 
must  first  wound  Christ  before  he  can  reach  you  ;  first  conquer 
CiU'ist  before  he  can  conquer  you.  O  then,  christian,  look  at  your 
armour,  not  at  your  weak,  defenceless  self:  be  strong :  be  of  good 
courage :  shout  your  victorv,  more  than  conquerors,  through 
Christ  who  loved  us.. ..Rom.  viii.  37. 

Without  the  armour  of  my  God,        O,  may  I  dally  put  it  on, 

I  cannot  stand  against  one  foej         And  thereby  vanquish  ev'ry  woe.    M. 


12$  JMAY  5. 

Slaiid  tlierefore,  liaving  your  loins  girt  about  with  truth, 
ani  having  on  the  breast-plate  of  righteous?iess....Ephes. 
vi.  14. 
Soldiers   of  Christ,  hear  and  obey  the  word  of  command.... 
STAND.     Against  every  enemy,  stand  to  your  arms  ;   against  all  op- 
position from  within  and  without  maintain  your  ground  ;  face   all, 
fight  all,  conquer  all.     Does   sin   attack,  satan   assault,  the  world 
threaten  ?   Do  corruptions  rage,  temptations  beset,  and  carnal  nature 
rebel?  Are  thine   enemies  many  and  potent?  Is  their  fury  great? 
Is  the  battle  strong  ?   Stand  therefore.     Why  ?  Because  you  have 
put  on  the  whole  armour  of  God.     Jesus  is  with  you,  upon  you, 
over  you,  and  engaged  for  you  :   therefore,  "  stand  fast  in  the  Lord." 
....  1  Thess.  iii.  8.     And  in  the  power  of  his  might,   having  your 
LOINS  GIRT.     Long  standing  makes  the  loins  faint  and  weak  :  "  Is 
there  much  pain  in  the  loins?"  Here  is  thy  Lord's  command  ;   gird 
up  the   loins   of  thy  mind;   make   thy  loins  strong;  "fortify   thy 
power    mightily.".... Nahum  ii.   1.       How?     Here   is  a   girdle   for 
thee  :   girt  about  with  truth.     What  is  truth  ?  Christ  answers, 
"  I  AM  the  truth.".... John  xiv.  6.     Christ  and  the  truth   as  it  is 
in  him,  is  like  a  girdle  to  the  loins  to  brace  up  and  strengthen  the 
mind.     Hast  thou  not  often  found  it  so,  O  soldier  of  Christ  ?   When 
weary  and  faint  in  thy  mind,  under  long  and   sharp  conflicts  with 
the  enemy,  hath  not  thy  soul  been  revived  and  thy  mind  animated 
with  fresh   strength  and  vigor,  by  again  girding  thy  loins  with  the 
love,  the  grace,  the  truth,  and  the  salvation  of  Jesus  ?  This  was 
David's  experience  ;  "  thou  hast  girded  me  with  gladness.".. ..Psalm 
XXX.    11.      "Thou    hast   girded  me  with   strength    to  battle.".... 
2  Sam.  xxii.  40.      O,  think   not   of  standing  without  the  girdle  of 
truth  :  let  Christ  and  his  truths  be  the  strength  of  thy  loins  and  the 
glory  of  thy  soul  ;   having   on   the    brkast-plate   of   righte- 
ousness ;  notourovvn,  that  is  defective  ;  as  well  have  on  a  spider's 
web';  it  will  not  defend  the  heart ;  the  enemy  will  wound  the  breast 
through  it ;  no  other  righteousness  than  that  in  which  we   stand 
perfectly  justified  in   the  sight  of  God  can   effectually  defend  our 
breast  against  the  enemy  ;  this  is  the  one  perfect,  everlasting  righte- 
ousness  of  him,    who   is    "  the    Lord  our    righteousness.".... 
Jcr.  xxiii.  6.     Christ  by  his  obedience  unto  death  wrought  it  out. 
The  Spirit  convinces  us  of  our  want  of  it ;   God  the  Father  imputes 
it ;  the  sinner  accepts  it  by  faith,  glories  of  it,  and  rejoices  in  it ; 
BO  enemy  can  stand  against  it ;  it  is  a  guard  against,  and  repels  the 
accusations  of  satan,  and  is  security  against  all  condemnation. 

If  1  could  keep  Cod's  holy  law,  But  since  I  sin  in  all  I  do, 

And  -every  jot  fulfil,  And  yet  would  never  sin, 

My  riglueouttness  I  would  not  know,  I'll  daily  to  my  Saviour  go, 

My  Lord's  my  glory  still.  For  peace  and  joy  within.          M. 


MAY  6.  129 

And  your  feet  shod  ivlth  the  preparation  of  the  gospel  cf 
peace.... Ephes.  vi,  15, 

Soldiers  of  Christ,  you  are  not  only  commanded  to  stand 
against  every  enemy,  but  to  march  on  :  to  follow  the  captain  of  your 
salvation  in  the  way  to  eternal  glory.  Here  you  must  expect  the 
enemy  will  strive  to  retard  your  march  ;  he  will  strew  the  road  with 
difficulties  and  entanglements,  with  briers  and  thorns  ;  make  it  rug- 
ged and  almost  impassable,  as  though  every  step  was  upon  sharp 
stones  and  goading  spikes.  Your  feet  must  be  shod,  or  you  will 
halt  when  you  should  march,  turn  back  when  you  should  go  forward. 
"  No  one  can  make  a  shoe  to  the  creature's  foot,  so  as  he  shall  go 
on  easy,  in  a  hard  way,  but  Christ;  he  can  do  it  to  the  soldiers  full 
content.  How  doth  he  it  ?  Truly,  no  other  way  than  underlaying 
it:  or  if  you  will,  lining  it  with  the  peace  of  the  gospel.  What 
though  the  way  be  set  with  sharp  stones?  If  this  shoe  go  between 
the  christian's  foot  and  them,  they  cannot  be  much  felt."....  Gur«a/'* 
Christian  Armour.  Shod  with  the  preparation:  Dr.  Gill  observes, 
this  word  signifies  a  base  or  foundation.  Says  Paul,  "other  foun- 
dation can  no  man  lay,  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ.".... 
1  Cor.  iii.  1 1.  Christ  was  laid  as  the  only  foundation  of  a  sinner's 
peace,  in  the  everlasting  council  and  covenant  by  Jehovih  in  trinity  : 
peace  is  preached  by  him  in  the  gospel  of  peace.  When  the  heart 
has  a  solid,  scriptural,  experimental  knowledge  of  this  by  faith,  it 
cries  out  with  joy,  "  Christ  is  our  peace.".. ..Eph.  ii.  14.  "  We  have 
peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.".. ..Rom.  v.  1. 
This  peace  in  the  heart  becomes  as  it  were  shoes  to  the  feet,  to  enable 
the  christian  soldier  to  trample  upon  every  difficulty  and  danger, 
and  to  run  the  way  of  God's  commands  with  love  and  delight ;  for, 
saith  the  Lord,  "thy  shoes  shall  be  iron  and  brass  :  proof  against 
every  obstacle,  and  preservation  from  every  hindrance  in  the  way : 
and  as  thy  days  so  shall  thy  strength  be."....Deut.  xxxiii.  25.  Thy 
days  are  all  in  Christ;  thy  strength  to  walk  on  is  from  him;  thy 
captain,  O  soldier,  sees  thy  every  conflict,  eyes  thee  in  every  diffi- 
culty and  danger,  and  according  to  his  rich  love  and  marvellous  grace 
has  given  thee  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises,  that  by  these 
you  might  be  partaker  of  the  divine  nature....2  Pet.  i.  4.     Therefore, 

March  on,  nor  fear  to  win  the  day, 

The*  death  and  hell  obstruct  the  way. 
"As  you  have  therefore  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk  ye 
in  him,  rooted  and  built  up  in  him,  and  established  in  the  faith,  as  ye 
have  been  taught,  abounding  therein  with  thanksgiving."....Col.ii.6,7. 

The  gospel  brings  the  joyful  news,  When  peace  of  God  prevails  within, 
Of  peace  with  God  thro'  Christ  :  We  march  on  steadily, 

This  as  it  were  supplies  with  shoes  Defying  satan,  world  and  sin, 
To  stand,  and  foes  resist.  Complete  in  victory.  M, 

Vol,  H.  R 


130  MAY  r. 

Above  all  taking  the  shield  of  faith.... Kphes.  vi.  16. 

WnEK  Christ  has  the  heart,  it  will  say,  if  I  can  see  nothing:  of 
Christ  in  the  text,  that  text  is  nothing  to  me.  Here  is  a  shield  of 
defence.  What  is  it?  a  mere  assent  of  the  mind  ?  a  cold  consent  of 
the  tongue  to  some  certain  propositions?  Is  this  the  shield  of  faith 
vhich  will  cover  my  head  and  defend  my  heart  in  the  day  of  battle  I 
Is  it  believing  a  system  of  doctrines,  without  having  the  heart  warmed 
with  love,  or  the  life  influenced  by  the  power  of  them,  that  the 
apostle  exhorts  me  above  all  to  take?  O  no  :  nothing  less  is  this 
shield  of  faith  than  Christ,  precious  Christ;  never,  never  have  any 
idea  of  faith  without  including  its  author  and  object;  otherwise  it 
is  a  mere  non-entity  ;  a  notion  which  has  no  real  existence  but  in 
fancy.  When  one  hears  people  insist  that  faith  is  our  righteous- 
ness, that  faith  is  imputed  to  us  for  righteousness,  one  is  lead  to 
think  they  take  up,  and  are  in  love  with  some  fancied  excellence  in 
themselves  instead  of  the  excellence  and  glory  of  the  Lord  our 
righteousness:  it  is  him  the  grace  of  faith  ever  exalts.  Have 
you  faith?  Is  Christ  the  glory  and  excellence  of  your  faith  and  of 
vour  heart?  Then  above  all,  or  overall  things  else,  take  this  shield 
of  faith.  Fiery  darts,  shot  from  the  burning  malice  of  hell,  are 
flying  thick  around  us;  such  as  strong  temptations  exciting  burning 
lusts,  blasphemous  injections,  horrid  thoughts  of  God,  debasing 
thoughts  of  Christ,  distressing  and  despairing  ones  of  the  hope  of 
ealvation  by  him.  O,  how  do  these  fieiy  darts  of  the  enemy  tend 
to  burn  up  the  peace,  hope,  consolation,  and  joy  of  the  soul.  Ah, 
■ays  satan,  you  a  child  of  God;  you  a  believer  in  Christ;  you  an 
heir  of  glory ;  your  faith  is  fancy,  your  hope  delusion  ;  you  are  a 
curse<l  sinner  in  all  you  do ;  you  had  better  give  over  your  profes- 
sion, give  up  your  hope,  and  enjoy  yourself  in  the  world,  for  all 
your  expectations  are  only  vain.  What  can  the  poor  sinner  say  ? 
How  repel,  how  quench  such  fiery  darts?  Only  by  taking  the  shield 
of  faith ;  holding  up  the  work  of  Jestis  for  him  against  them  all. 
My  Saviour's  blood  atoned  for  all  my  sins  ;  his  blood  cleanseth  from 
ALL  sin;  all  manner  of  sin  and  blasphemy  shall  be  forgiven  ;  in  hia 
righteousness  I  am  justified  from  all  things;  there  is  now  no  con- 
demnation to  me,  for  I  am  in  Christ  Jesus:  all  this  I  believe. 
Who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ? 

Not  faith,  but  Christ,  he  is  my  shield,  Father,  I  Wess  thee  for  thy  Son, 
By  faith  1  him  confess:  And  thou,  O  Spirit,  for  faith,  [donr, 

I  stand  unconquer'd  in  the  field,  And  Christ,  for  all  which  thou  hast 
Christ  is  my  righteousness.  For  vict'ry  over  death.  M-. 


MAY  8.      '  131 

And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation.... Ephes.  vi.  17. 

It  is  excellently  said,  "  Resolve  for  hardships,  or  lay  down  thine 
arms.  Few  come  at  the  beat  of  Christ's  drum  to  his  standard. 
Many  that  list  by  external  profession  under  him,  after  a  while  drop 
away  and  leave  his  colours.  It  is  suffering  work  they  are  sick  of. 
Many  men  are  more  tender  of  their  skin  than  of  their  conscience  ; 
they  had  rather  the  gospel  had  provided  armour  to  defend  their  bodies 
from  death  and  danger  than  their  souls  from  sin  and  satan."....G2ir- 
nal's  Christian  Armour.  All  this  is  because  they  have  not  on  the  hel- 
met of  salvation.  What  is  this?  For  an  helmet,  "  The  hope  of  sal- 
vation.".... 1  Thess.  V.  8.  Do  not  all  naturally  hope  to  be  saved  ?  Yes, 
so«ie  in  one  way  and  some  in  another:  but  all  natural  hopes  are 
false  hopes  ;  therefore  they  die  and  perish:  but  this  helmet  is  a 
super-natural  and  divine  hope.  All  men  have  not  faith  ;  therefore  they 
have  not  Christ  who  is  the  helmet  of  hope,  "The  Lord  Jesus  is  ouf 
hope."....  1  Tim.  i.  1.  We  have  received  him  into  our  hearts  by 
faith;  he  is  the  only  hope  of  our  souls.  Now,  soldier,  you  are 
daily,  and  every  day,  to  take  and  put  on  this  precious  helmet  of  sal- 
vation, that  you  may  lift  up  your  head  in  every  day  of  battle.  Ever 
lay  this  down  as  a  fixed  maxim  in  your  heart,  whatever  grace  the 
Spirit  works  in  you,  as  faith,  hope,  love.  Sec.  it  is,  that  you  should 
exalt  Christ  the  Lord  of  all  grace,  out  of  whose  fulness  you  receive 
grace  for  grace.  Mind  this:  you  are  not  to  live  upon  hope  as  a 
grace  within  you ;  but  to  take  Christ,  all  that  he  is  to  you  and  has 
done  for  you,  as  the  object  of  your  hope  and  the  helmet  of  your 
salvation.  Many  arc  apt  to  look  more  to,  and  trast  more  in  graces 
in  themselves,  than  Christ  giving  himself  for  them.  The  Spirit 
docs  nothing  in  us  to  glorify  us,  but  to  glorify  Jesus,  to  endear  him 
to  us,  and  that  we  should  glory  more  and  more  of  him  and  in  him. 
Take  this  helmet,  for  this  keeps  hope  alive  in  the  heart:  it  is  of 
continual  use  to  us;  we  are  in  peqietual  danger:  it  defends  the 
head:  it  makes  the  heart  happy  :  inspires  with  courage:  fortifies  the 
mind  and  purifies  the  life  :  no  wonder  then  th«  enemy  strives  to  rob 
us  of  the  comfort  of  hope  :  no  marvel,  the  Spirit,  the  comforter, 
commands  us  to  take,  put  on,  ajid  keep  on,  this  blessed  helmet  ©f 
salvation,  the  work  of  Christ,  which, is  our  finished  salvation.  In 
that  we  stand  perfect  and  complete  in  the  will  of  God:  this  will 
guard  our  heads  against  corrupt  doctrines,  and  give  courage  to  our 
hearts  in  the  heat  of  battle  against  affliction  and  distress:  "Hope 
thou  in  God."....Psalm  xlii.  5. 

In  thy  salvation,  O  my  Lord,  This  helmet  doth  my  head  defend. 
May  I  ever  stand  complete;  From  all  deceit  and  error; 

'Tis  this  doth  peace  aaid  joy  afford",  Gives  courage  to  my  heart  andhand". 
This  is  my  only  helmet.  'Gainst  Satan's  rage  and  terror.    M. 


>3J  MAY  9. 

Jjid  take  fhe  sword  of  the  Spirit y  which  is  the  word  cj  God^ 
Ephcs.  vi.  17. 

Soldiers  of  Christ,  all  hail!  Happy  ye:  Christ  is  your  whole 
arnjour,  1st.  Christ,  who  is  the  truth,  is  the  strengttj  of  your 
loins  :  his  righteousness  is  your  hreast-plate  of  defence.  2d.  He  is 
the  sum  and  substance  of  the  gospel  of  peace,  whereby  our  feet  are 
shod  to  march  against  the  enemy.  3d.  The  author  and  object  of 
faith:  our  shield,  to  quench  all  the  fiery  dart^  of  the  wicked  one. 
4th.  Our  helmet  of  hope.  Thus,  by  the  grace  of  the  Spirit,  put 
him  on  as  your  armour.  Then,  what  dangers  may  you  not  face  ? 
What  enemies  have  you  to  fear?  But  forget  not  your  sword: 
though  but  just  entered  the  field,  you  must  know  the  use  of  it  and 
necessity  for  it:  it  is  offensive  to  your  enemy,  defensive  of  yourself. 
What  a  poor  figure  would  a  soldier  cut  in  the  field  of  battle  M'ith- 
out  his  sword?  Just  so  would  you  without  tue  sword  of  thk 
Spirit,  called  the  word  of  God.  For,  1st.  By.it  he  conquers  the 
pride  of  our  hearts,  the  self-righteousness  of  our  spirits,  and  the 
rebellion  of  our  nature  against  Christ  and  his  salvation.  2d.  He  fur- 
nishes us  with  it,  and  enables  us  to  get  victory  by  it  over  our  cor- 
rupt reason,  the  injections  of  satan,  and  the  objections  of  carnal 
inen  against  the  mystery  of  Christ,  hope  in  him,  and  salvation  by 
him.,  Take  this  sword:  hold  fast  the  faithful  word,  abide  by  it; 
stand  to  it :  as  a  centinel,  with  this  sword  in  tliine  hand,  guard  thy 
heart  against  every  intruding,  insulting  foe,  all  the  lying  accusa- 
tions, soul-dejecting,  Christ-dishonoring  suggestions  of  satan.  Not 
only  so,  but  like  Esau,  "by  thy  sword  thou  shalt  live;"  live  upon 
what  thy  sword  brings  in  from  day  to  day,  out  of  the  precious  word 
of  God,  out  of  the  fulness  of  the  grace  of  Jesus,  and  the  precious 
promises  in  him.  Having  such  an  armour,  the  Lord  forbid  that  wc 
should  be  like  the  children  of  Ephraim,  who  turned  back  in  the  day 
of  battle !.... Psalm  Ixxviii.  9.  Lord  strengthen  us  that  we  may  never 
be  ashamed  to  confess  the  faith  of  Christ  crucified,  but  manfully  to 
fight  under  his  banner  against  sin,  the  world  and  the  devil,  and  so 
continue  Christ's  faithful  soldiers  and  servants  unto  our  lives'  end. 
Is  this  the  one  desire  of  your  soul  ?  O,  bless  the  Spirit  for  it :  hold 
fast  the  sword  which  he  hath  put  into  your  hand:  hold  up,  thus  saith 
the  Lord,  thus  it  is  written,  against  every  foe.  Neither  men  nor 
devils  can  stand  against  the  word  of  the  Lord,  "  It  is  sharper  than 
any  two-edged  sword."....Heb.  iv.  12. 

O.  may  thv  word,  thy  precious  word,  Spirit  divine,  teach  me  the  art 

My  Saviour  and  mv  God  Thy  blessed  sword  to  wield, 

AganiM  m>  f  les   me  help  afford,  That  1  thereby  may  guard  my  heart. 

All  thro*  iliis  dang'rousi  road.  And  ever  keep  the  field.           M. 


MAY   10.  133 

Praying  alw'aijs  xcith  all  prayer. . . .  Eph .  v i .  18. 

*  Onk,  by  way  of  banter,  said  tome,  "  I  will  treat  you  with  a 
play  if  you  will  go  with  me  to-night."  I  thanked  him  and  to^ 
him  I  would  accompany  him,  if  I  could  be  sure  it  would  biingmorc 
cf  the  love  of  Christ  into  my  heart  :  this,  this  is  worth  living  for, 
using  any  means  to  promote,  and  going  any  where  to  procure.  B^it, 
here  is  a  weapon  which  defends  us  against  all  temptations  to  go  to 
such  places,  or  do  such  things,  which  are  contrary  to  the  peace  of 
our  souls  and  damp  the  love  of  Christ  in  our  hearts.  That  soul  who 
keeps  up  sweet  fellowship  with  God  at  a  throne  of  grace  is  dead  to 
sensual  gratifications  ;  the  more  prayer,  the  more  spiritual  life  from 
Christ ;  the  more  spiritual  life,  the  more  prayer  to  Christ ;  the  more 
we  enjoy  Christ,  the  less  we  desire  from  the  world.  Prayiks  : 
this  is  the  last  weapon  of  our  warfare  ;  it  will  be  used  by  soldiers  to 
the  last  moment  of  life.  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner ;  Jesus 
save  or  I  perish,  are  suitable  petitions  for  a  dying  soldier  of  Christ: 
we  are  sure  such  prayer  of  faitii  God  will  answer.  Praying  al- 
ways :  M'e  arc  prone  to  think  we  are  not  always  in  a  fit  frame  to  pray. 
Who  but  Christ  can  put  our  souls  in  a  better  ?  Therefore,  pray  him 
to  do  it.  •"  I  am  oppressed,"  said  Hezekiah.  What  then  ?  Did  he 
cease  to  pray  ?  No:  "  O  Lord,  undertake  for  me."....Isa.  xxxviii.  14. 
Tl-.e  undertaking  of  Jesus  we  want  always  ;  therefore,  should  pray 
for  it  always.  With  all  prayer:  every  kind  of  prayer  :  though 
armed  with  the  whole  armour  of  God,  yet  no  victory  without  the 
power  of  God.  The  most  secret  sigh  of  the  soul  is  heard  by  God, 
as  well  as  the  loudest  cry  of  the  tongue.  If  your  lot  is  cast  into 
the  worst  of  company,  there  your  heart  may  pray  ;  God  can  hear ; 
you  then  ought  to  pray  that  God  may  keep  you.  Are  you  low  in 
your  frame  and  uncomfortable  in  your  soul  ?  Why  is  this  ?  That 
you  should  call  upon  the  Lord.  Do  you  fear  your  enemies  will 
prevail  ?  Improve  fears  into  prayers ;  call  on  the  Saviour  ;  the 
more  prayer,  the  more  victory  :  the  more  victory,  the  more  love. 
Love  is  heaven  below  :  thus  we  go  on  conquering  and  to  conquer. 
The  last  enemy  that  shall  be  destroyed  is  death  :  praying  souls  may 
joyfully  shout  victory  over  death,  and  all  things,  "  more  than  con- 
querors through  him  who  loved  us."... .Rom.  viii.  37.  Is  this  the 
state  ?  this  the  faith  of  praying  christians  ?  Who  brought  them 
into  this  happy  state,  this  joyful  faith  ?  The  question  excites  grati- 
tude, and  calls  forth  praise  to  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our 
faith....Heb.  xii.  2. 

Our  captain  loves  to  hear  When  we  grow  faint  and  weak, 

His  soldiers'  praying  voice  :  And  dread  our  en'mies'  pow'r, 

Courage  he  gives,  forbids  our  fear,  This  is  the  time  fresh  strength  to  seek. 

Commands  us  to  rejoice.  For  yict'rjr  in  that  hour.  M. 


154  MAY  11. 

Thcj'e  is  one  body  and  one  Spirit.. ..Eph.  iv.  4. 

Paul  exhorts  saints  to  a  holr,  loving,  peaceful  walk:  he  knew 
nothing  conld  effect  this  like  the  consideration  that  they  all  com- 
por.ed  one  body,  of  which  the  holy,  loving,  peaceful  Jesus  is  the 
head  :  while  the  power  of  this  truth  lives  in  the  heart,  love  prevails 
in  holiness  before  God  and  peace  with  our  brethren  ;  then,  in  sweet 
fellowship  we  say  with  Abraham  to  Lot,  "  let  there  be  no  strife  I 
pray  thee  between  me  and  thee,  for  we  are  brethren. "....Gen.  xiii.  8. 
There  is  one  dody  :  saith  our  Lord,  "  a  body  hast  thou  prepared 
ine."....Heb.  x.  5.  As  Christ  had  a  natural  body,  formed  by  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  he  was  to  inhabit,  in  which  he 
was  to  atone  for  sin,  fulfil  all  righteousness,  and  make  intercession 
for  transgressors  ;  so  he  has  also  a  mystical  body,  chosen  and  given 
to  him  by  God  the  Father  ;  in  and  over  all  these  he  is  head.  This 
is  a  sweet  word  "  God  gave  Christ,  to  be  head  overall  things,  to 
the  church  which  is  his  body.".. ..Eph.  i.  22.  Believing  sinner, 
art  thou  a  member  of  this  blessed  body,  united  to  this  evei  precious, 
ever  glorious  head  ?  Envy  not  monarchs  ;  covet  not  more  ;  study 
thy  dignity  ;  live  like  thyself  ;  glory  in  thy  head  ;  look  down  with 
contempt  on  all  things  below  Christ  and  heaven.  There  is  one 
Spirit  :  he  flows  from  the  head,  hath  united  us  to  the  head, 
makes  us  like  the  head,  and  causes  us  to  rejoice  in  the  head  ;  for 
Christ  is  all  and  in  all  his  members  :  by  this  one  Spirit  he  animates, 
guides,  and  comforts  them.  Learn  hence,  1st.  To  love  and  praise 
God  for  the  gift  of  Jesus  to  be  all  things  to  us.  2d.  To  glory  of, 
and  rejoice  in  Christ  our  head,  who  has  done  all  for  us  and  is  all  to 
us,  "  for  in  him  we  are  complete. ".... Col. ii.  10.  3d.  Give  glory 
to  the  loving  Spirit  who  convinced  us  of  sin,  shewed  us  Christ,  knit 
our  hearts  to  him  by  faith,  and  causes  us  to  look  to,  live  upon,  and 
be  comforted  by  Jesus  our  covenant  head.  4th.  Endeavor  to  keep 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace  between  Christ  and  his 
members.  Saints'  strifes  are  satan's  sport :  they  grieve  the  Spirit 
and  distress  our  minds.  As  we  expect  to  live  together  with  our 
head  above,  "let  us  follow  the  things  which  make  for  peace  and 
wherewith  one  may  edify  another  below. "....Rom.  xiv.  19.  The 
])o\ver  of  this  faith,  of  being  one  with  Christ,  is  most  amazing  ;  it 
works  by  the  love  of  Christ,  produces  love  to  him  and  to  all  his 
incmbtrs,  as  being  one  in  him  ;  Lord  increase  our  faith. 

United  unto  Christ  our  head,  'Twill  not  be  long  before  Christ  come. 
By  the  dear  Spirit's  pow'r,  We  hear  our  bridegroom's  voice: 

We  feed  on  him  our  livit.g  bread.  He  made  us  one,  he'll  take  us  home; 
And  wait  his  coming  hour.  M/  soul  in  this  rejoice.  M. 


JVIAY   12.  135 

Ye  are  called  in  one  hope  of  your  calling. ...Ephcs.  iv.  4. 

What  a  glorious  day  was  that  to  Saul  when  the  Lord  called  to 
him  from  heaven  and  said,  I  am  Jesus  your  Saviour!  Says  one, 
"  O  that  I  was  so  sure  that  Christ  hath  called  me,  as  he  did  Paul! 
Then  how  happy  should  I  be  I"  Verily,  thou  maycst  be  happy  : 
thou  may  est  be  as  sure  thou  art  as  effectually  called,  as  Paul  was  : 
thy  concern  of  mind  about  it  is  a  clear  evidence  and  full  proof  of 
it.  While  in  a  state  of  natural  ignorance  and  unbelief  of  Christ, 
had  Paul  a  single  wish  or  desire  to  be  called  by  Christ?  Nor  wouldst 
thou,  if  Christ  had  not  first  called  thee  by  the  grace  of  his  word  and 
the  power  of  his  Spirit ;  therefore,  doubt  not  of,  but  rejoice  in  the 
hope  of  thy  calling.  Love  Christ  for  calling  thee ;  give  him  the 
glory  of  it.  Ye  are  called:  the  effects  prove  it.  Ve  who  were 
dead  in  sin,  without  hope  in  Christ,  have  ears  to  hear  the  word  of 
Christ,  eyes  to  see  the  glory  of  Christ,  a  heart  to  desire  Christ  as 
your  only  hope  and  salvation :  his  day  of  call  was  his  day  of  power, 
when  you  were  made  willing  to  have  but  one  hope.  As  there  is 
but  ONE  atonement  for  sin,  but  one  righteousness  to  justify  from 
sin,  but  ONE  mediator  between  God  and  sinners;  but  one  advocate 
to  plead  for  sinners,  but  one  Jesus  to  save,  and  but  one  Spirit  to 
sanctify  sinners;  so  there  is  but  one  and  the  same  hope  in  every 
called  sinner:  ihey  all  hope  for  heaven  because  God  has  declared  it 
to  be  by  his  free  gift  to  sinners,  through  his  one  beloved  and  only 
Son.  Are  we  called  in  this  one  hope?  Then,  Ist.  Let  us  not  be 
looking  to  any  thing  in  us,  nor  done  by  us :  neither  to  graces  wrought 
in  us,  nor  works  done  by  us,  as  our  hope  ;  this  would  exalt  pride 
against  our  dear  Saviour,  "who  is  our  one  and  only  hope."....1  Tim. 
i.  1.  2d.  Let  us  not  be  dejected  or  discouraged  though  we  find 
ourselves  imperfect  creatures,  unprofitable  servants,  yea  miserable 
sinners;  for  that  were  to  depreciate  the  atonement  and  righteous- 
ness of  Christ,  as  though  the  one  M'as  not  fully  available  to  take 
away  our  sins,  and  the  other  not  perfectly  sufficient  to  justify  our 
persons  and  make  us  acceptable  to  God.  Blessed  be  God,  at  all 
times,  under  all  circumstances  our  hope  is  one  and  invariably  the 
same;  therefore,  "we  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God:  and 
hope  maketh  not  ashamed,  because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad 
in  our  hearts,  by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  to  u3."....Rom. 
V.  5.  Well,  christian,  if  thou  hast  got  this  one  hope,  thou  hast 
constant  reason  for  joy  in  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

And  am  I  call'd  to  hope  in  Christ,  But  thine's  the  pow'r,  O  God  of  might. 

The  face  of  God  to  see  ?  With  strength  my  soul  endue : 

Then  my  base  lusts  I  will  resist,  Let  faith  and  love  sweetly  unite, 

And  from  all  evil  flee.  Holiness  to  pursue.                       M. 


IS6  May  13, 

One  Lord y  one  faiths  one  baptism.... Ephes.  iv.  5. 

Jesus  saith  of  his  church,  "  my  dove,  my  undefiled  is  but 
onp."....Song;  vi.  9.  One  body  composed  of  various  members,  es- 
poused to  him  by  the  Spirit,  as  to  "  one  husband. "....2  Cor.  xi.  2* 
Hence  called  his  own  body.-.Eph.  i.  23.  All  such  are  most  dear  td 
the  Lord  :  he  nourisheth  and  cherisheth  them;  for  they  are  mem* 
bers  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  his  bones. ...Eph.  v.  30.  He 
is  their  one  Lord,  and  his  name  is  oNE....Zech.  xiv.  9.  This  is  most 
true  in  doctrine  ;  but  this  is  not  all,  for  it  is  found  most  sweet  in 
experience  also.  This  is  by  one  faith  :  by  this  we  enjoy  and 
walk  in  sweet  and  holy  fellowship  with  our  Lord  and  head.  What 
if  I  was  told  there  is  one  sun,  what  comfort  is  that  to  me  if  I  never 
was  to  see  its  light,  feel  its  warmth,  and  enjoy  its  influence?  What- 
ever is  written  of  our  one  Lord  is  enjoyed  in  experience  by  this  onr 
faith  :  but  some  talk  of  various  sorts  of  faith,  as  faith  of  adhe- 
rence, faith  of  reliance,  failh  of  assurance,  8cc.  this  only  puzzle* 
the  head  and  perplexes  the  heart  of  many  sincere  disciples  of  Christ 
to  define  such  notions  ;  this  one  faith  is  very  simple  :  by  it  the  heart 
fixes  upon  the  one  atonement,  the  one  righteousness,  the  one 
mediation,  and  the  one  salvation  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  as  it  looks  to 
nothing  else  for  hope,  so  by  it  Christ  is  most  precious  to  the  soul, 
and  by  faith  Christ  keeps  the  soul  unto  salvation.  Happy  partakers 
of  this  one  faith  1  How  are  we  made  thus  happy  in  ok  e  Lord, 
through  one  faith?  By  one  baptism  of  the  Spirit  into  the  saving 
knowledge  of,  and  joyful  hope  in  Jesus  our  Saviour  :  "  1  or 
by  one  Spirit,  we  are  all  baptized  into  one  body."....  I  Cor.  xii.  13» 
Water-baptism  is  only  the  outward  and  visible  sign  of  the 
inward  and  spiritual  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  this  one  bap- 
tism. O,  that  the  dear  members  of  this  one  Lord  studied  more 
to  provoke  each  other  to  love  and  good  works,  instead  of  disputinr^ 
about  the  outward  sign  of  baptism:  the  cold  water  of  strife  and 
contention  can  never  warm  the  heart  v/ith  love  to  Christ  and  one 
another.  As  being  all  one  in  Christ,  let  our  one  contention  be 
to  live  in  the  Spirit  and  walk  in  love.  The  Lord  baptize  us  with  the 
fire  of  love!  This  -will  burn  up  the  unhallowed  strife  of  natures 
Though  we  cannot  think  alike  about  baptism,  yet  if  we  have  one 
Lord  and  one  faith,  we  can,  we  ought  to  unite  in  this,  to  love  as 
BRETHREN....  1  Pet.  iii.  8.  Love  is  a  genuine  fruit  of  the  Spirit.... 
Gal.  V.  22.  A  grace  which  neither  carnal  men  nor  apostate  dei'ils 
ever  can  possess;  is  therefore  a  sure  evidence  that  we  arc  born  of 
God  and  divcU  in  God;  for  "  love  is  of  God."....  I  John  iv.  7. 

Baptize  us  by  thy  Spirit,  Lord,  O  may  it  he  our  greatest  strife, 

With  holy  faith  and  hcav'nly  love,  Wlio  most  shall  honor  thee  our  Lord, 

So  shall  we  best  proclaim  abroad,  Wilh  love  of  heart  and  holy  life, 

That  w«  resemble  saintb  above.  Agreeable  unto  thy  word.  M. 


MAY  14.  jsr 

Xoiv  the  just  shall  live  by  faith.. ..Ileb.  x.  38. 

Then  they  \rill  highly  prize  the  word  of  God,  "for  by  that 
faith  Cometh. "....Rom.  x.  17.  Prophets  and  apostles,  Old  Testa- 
nrient  saints  and  New,  speak  by  one  and  the  same  Spirit,  one  and 
the  same  language,  of  one  and  the  same  life.  "  The  just  shall  live 
by  his  faith,"  says  Habbak.  ii.  4.  Mind:  it  is  not  said,  the  just,  or 
justified  sinner  shall  live  for  his  faith  ;  this  would  be  to  sul)stitute. 
faith  in  the  room  of  its  blessed  object  Jesus,  who  saith,  "because  I 
live,  ye  shall  live  also.".. ..John  xiv.  19.  Nor  is  it  said  he  shall  live 
UPON  his  faith:  we  are  too  apt  to  look  more  to,  and  live  more  upon 
what  M'e  think  faith,  which  is  rather  the  feelings  of  sense,  than  upon 
Christ  the  object  of  faith.  It  is  said  of  Esau,  "by  thy  sword  shalt 
thou  live. "....Gen.  xxvii.  40.  To  have  lived  i-'pon  his  sword  would 
have  been  hard  food  indeed;  but  he  lived  upon  the  precious  morsels 
his  sword  brought  in:  so  the  believing  sinner,  justified  in  the  righte- 
ousness of  Christ,  is  to  live,  as  we  say,  from  hand  to  mouth  ;  upon 
what  faith  brings  into  his  mind  from  the  word  of  Christ,  day  by  day. 
Eternal  praise  to  the  holy  Spirit,  who  quickened  our  once  dead  souls 
to  this  holy,  spiritual  life:  and  he  says,  "we  shall  live  by  faith." 
This  demands  fresh  praises  every  moment,  while  we  thus  live  in 
Christ  and  upon  Christ  by  faith.  Shall  live:  O,  what  is  implied 
in  this  1  Even  that  this  faith  shall  never  be  lost,  nor  the  soul  of  any 
justified  sinner  perish :  for  he  is  in  Christ,  who  is  the  way  to  the 
kingdom,  the  tkuth  of  the  kingdom,  and  the  life  of  all  the  chosen 
-to  inherit  the  kingdom.  Hast  thou  faith,  though  but  as  a  grain  of  mus- 
tard seed?  Consider  not  thy  faith,  though  weak,  but  the  author  and 
object  of  it,  Jesus,  who  is  almighty  to  save:  though,  under  the 
sentence  of  death  for  sin  in  thyself,  yet  in  him  thou  hast  righteous- 
ness and  justification  unto  eternal  life.  Lord  increase  our  faith,  thiit 
we  may  live  more  above  Aviih  thee  in  heart  and  aft'ection,  in  con- 
quest over  sin,  victory  over  the  world,  triumph  over  the  accusations 
of  satan,  the  condemnation  of  the  law,  and  the  terrors  of  death. 
Thus  the  life  of  faith  is  a  life  of  present  peace,  precious  love,  joy- 
ful hope,  and  holy  obedience  :  for  Christ  is  our  life.  O,  let  us  take 
heed  lest  we  draw  back  from  this  our  most  holy,  humble  faith, 
either  to  self-righteousness  on  one  hand  or  ungodliness  on  tl:e  other. 
Both  these  oppose  the  life  of  faith,  the  joy  of  hope,  and  the  com- 
forts of  love  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Some  trust  on  works  and  some  on  faith,  Faith  makes  Christ  precious  to  the 
And  some  don't  trust  at  all :  Embracing:  him  within  :  [heart, 

O,  may  1  live  oa  what  Christ  saith,         That  soul  has  learnt  the  heavenly  art, 
That's  the  best  life  of  all.  Who  lives  on  nought  but  him.     M. 

Vol.   II.  S 


138  MAY   15. 

But  some  arc  fallen  asleep. ...I  Cor.  xv.  6. 

It  is  the  united  testimony  of  faithful  witnesses,  that  Jesus  is 
risen  indeed :  but  what  is  this  truth  of  a  risen  Saviour  to  a  dead 
sinner  ?  He  hears  it,  but  without  any  affections  of  heart,  joy  of 
soul,  desires  to  rise  with  Christ,  or  hopes  of  enjoying  him ;  but 
when  by  the  grace  of  Christ  the  soul  is  quickened  to  know  him,  it 
rejoices  in  his  resurrection  as  the  best  news  that  ever  saluted  his 
ears  or  reached  his  heart ;  then  he  delights  to  read  the  testimony  of 
(he  witnesses  to  this  glorious  event;  yea,  he  also  becomes  a  living 
witness  of  it  himself,  for  he  has  an  inward  testimony  of  it  by  faith. 
My  heart  has  catched  joy  on  seeing  charity-children  at  Easter,  with 
this  label  upon  their  breast,  he  is  risen.  It  is  this  blessed  truth, 
which  changes  the  king  of  terrors  into  an  angel  of  comfort,  turns 
that  frightful  monster,  death,  into  the  image  of  sweet  sleep ;  for 
Christ  died  for  our  sin  and  rose  again  for  our  justification.  So  sure 
as  by  faith  we  now  live  in  Jesus,  so  at  death  we  shall  fall  asleep  in 
Jesus  and  awake  in  his  presence,  in  his  perfect  likeness,  to  behold 
his  eternal  glory.  O,  what  a  sleep,  what  a  refreshing  sleep  is  this 
to  souls  wearied  and  fatigued  with  the  burden  of  sin,  the  temptations 
of  satan,  the  exercises  of  the  flesh,  the  trials  of  the  world,  cruelty 
of  enemies,  8cc.  But,  melancholy  truth!  the  apostle's  words  are 
verified  of  some  of  Christ's  witnesses  in  another  sense ;  "some  are 
fallen  asleep"  spiritually  ;  they  are  falling  from  living  actings  of 
faith?  lively  exercises  of  grace,  lively  discharge  of  duty,  living, 
loving  and  walking  with  heaven  in  their  eye  and  Christ  in  their 
hearts,  into  dull,  heavy,  sleepy  frames  of  soul.  O,  this  is  very 
dishonorable  to  Christ,  uncomfortable  to  themselves,  and  great  con- 
cern to  lively,  warm-hearted  disciples  !  This  is  brought  on  souls  by 
sitting  under  a  sleepy  ministry :  this  scripture  adage  is  fulfilled, 
*'  like  priest,  like  people."  Worldly  company,  carnal  pleasures 
and  profits  are  sleepy  opiates  to  the  soul.  O,  let  us  be  concerned 
that  we  sleep  not  as  do  others  ;  let  us  attend  lively,  warm-hearted, 
soul-searching  ministers;  keep  company  with  such  sorts  of  chris- 
tians; avoid  light,  trifling,  drowsy,  speculative  professors.  Let 
\i5  cry  to  our  beloved  ;  he  has  said,  "I  will  cause  the  lips  of  those 
that  are  asleep  to  speak.".... Song  vii.  19.  They  shall  speak,  1st.  to 
God  in  earnest  prayer  to  be  kept  from  sleeping  frames.  2d.  To 
tiieir  brethren  in  Christ  to  animate  and  quicken  them  to  run  the 
heavenly  race,   looking  unto  Jesus.. ..Heb.  xii.  "2. 

Is  sleep  becoming  saints  of  God,  Thou  risen  Saviour,  1ft  us  hear 

In  the  meridian  day  :  [abroad,      Thy  sweet,  thy  quick'ning  voice  : 

What,  sleep!  when  you  should  look      Command  u»  sleepy  frames  to  fear. 
Arise,  and  watch  and  pray  ?  And  in  thy  love  rejoice.  M, 


MAY    16.  139 

Therefore^  behold  I  zvill  hedge  up  thy  xvay  with  thorns,  and 
make  a  wall  that  she  shall  not  find  her  paths. ,.JIos.  ii.  6. 

Here  is  a  contest  between  the  free  will  of  the  sinner  and 
the  FREE  GRACE  of  the  Saviour.  Why  therefore?  This  alludes 
to  what  was  spoken  before.  O,  how  strong  it  savours  of  cursei', 
free-will  pride!  I  will  go  after  my  lovers,  kc.  What  says  the 
Lord  to  this  ?  Go,  and  des-troy  yourself,  I  will  leave  you  to  your  own 
will  ?  O,  ye  patrons  of  the  notion  of  free-will,  a  greater  curse  can- 
not befall  you  on  this  side  hell,  than  to  be  thus  left ;  though  you  have 
such  pride  yet  the  Lord  has  more  grace  ;  therefore  he  says,  behold  r 
take  special  notice  of  this:  your  will  is  to  leave  me  and  destroy 
your  poor  souls;  but  I  will  not  suffer  this  :  grace  reigns  :  free-will 
shall  be  conquered,  my  glory  shall  be  exalted.  I  will  hedge  up 
THY  WAY  WITH  THORNS.  Mind:  it  is  THY  way,  not  mine.  I  will 
set  the  briers  of  troubles,  and  the  sharp  thorns  of  afflictions  to  goad 
and  pierce  thee,  to  stop  and  prevent  thee.  Say  now,  is  there  love 
in  this,  or  not  ?  O,  that  in  every  affliction  Ave  may  see  the  Lord's 
hand  of  grace  and  his  heart  of  love.  Many  a  soul  had  been  ruined 
by  pi'osperity  if  they  had  not  been  undone  by  adversity  ;  they  would 
have  gone  into  the  broad  read  of  destruction  had  not  God  hedged  up 
the  way  by  calamities  :  better  to  have  a  sick  stomach  than  a  guilty 
conscience.  The  Lord  send  me  any  plague  rather  than  the  plague  of 
a  heart  departing  from  him,  saith  St.  Austin.  If  a  hedge  restrain 
not,  a  wall  shall  not  be  wanting.  I  will  make  a  wall,  that  shz 
SHALL  NOT  FIND  HER  PATHS.  O,  What  Straying  hearts  have 
Christ's  sheep!  O,  what  love  of  heart  has  Christ  towards  us!  What 
pains  doth  he  take  to  keep  us  near  himself.  "SALVATroN  will  God 
appoint  for  walls  and  bulwarks. "....Isa.  xxvi.  1.  Jesus  shews  his 
lovely  face;  then  says  the  soul,  what,  thou  my  Lord!  thou  best 
thou  dearest  lover  and  friend,  is  it  thou  my  first,  husband  I  would 
forsake  for  other  lovers  ?  O,  that  there  should  be  such  a  vile  heart 
in  me  !  Pardon,  Lord,  my  folly;  I  find  no  path  to  turn  to:  "  I  will 
return  to  thee  my  first  husband,  for  then  it  was  better  with  me  than 
now."  Soul,  ever  entertain  the  most  exalted  sentiments  of  the  grace 
of  God,  and  the  most  self-abasing  views  of  thy  own  nature.  Hea- 
ven rings  with  acclamations  of  praise  from  backsliding  souls;  this 
is  the  glory  of  faith  below,  I  will  heal  their  backsliding  and  love  them 
freely. ...Hos.  xiv.  4.  If  God  has  such  lore  to  us,  let  this  quicken 
our  love  to  him  ;  for,  "  we  love  him,  because  he  first  loved  us.".... 
1  Joftn  iv.  19. 

Our  Father's  love,  our  Saviour's  grace,  Because  such  love  and  grace  abound, 
Ne'er  changes  to  the  souls  they  love  :    Shall  we  therefore  abound  in  sin  ? 
But  sin  will  make  God  hide  his  face,     That  soul  who  does  hath  never  found 
And  leave  in  darkness  souls  to  rove.      The  sirtet  constraints  of  love  within. 

M. 


140  MAY    17. 

Iflidl  shall  ICC  iJtcn  saj/  to  these  things'^ ....Rom.  viii.  31.  > 

This  is  a  most  disagreeable  chapter  to  free-will  pride  and  self- 
righteous  spirits;  for  it  cuts  the  very  sinews  of  boasting  ;  it  lays 
all  sinners  upon  a  level,  while  it  proclaims  salvation  by  sovereign 
grace.  A  great  Arminian  professor  was  lately  honest  enough  lo 
own  that  St.  Paul  does  contend  for  the  doctrines  of  election  and  the 
final  perseverance  of  the  saints;  but  was  weak  enough  to  add,  "  i 
verily  believe  he  does  it  in  his  own  spirit."  Such  was  his  ansAver  to 
these  things.  But  when  it  pleases  the  enlightening  Spirit  to  display 
the  glorious  discoveries  of  the  divine  rriind,  in  his  eternal  purposes 
of  grace  and  salvation  to  lost  and  wretched  sinners,  the  sin-convinc- 
ed soul  is  struck  with  wonder  and  amazement,  and  cries  out,  "  O, 
the  depths  of  the  riches,  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God  I 
How  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  are  past  finding 
out  !"  All  exceeds  my  comprehension  ;  I  bow  to  sovereign  grace  ; 
I  rejoice  in  everlasting  love :  I  glory  in  the  finished  salvation  of  the 
Son  of  God.  Just  so,  an  officer  In  the  navy  whom  I  visited  when 
near  death,  when  I  laid  before  him  the  love  of  God  to  sinners  and  the 
salvation  of  Christ  for  them,  clapping  his  hand  to  his  breast,  in  an 
ecstacy  cried  out,  "  Where  have  I  lived  that  I  never  heard  these 
things  beibre  ?   Good  God  1  have  I  got  a  soul !" 

Come,  christians,  what  have  you  to  say  to-night  to  God's  loving 
us  from  eternity,  choosing  us  in  Christ  and  blessing  us  with  aJl  spiri- 
tual blessings  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  redeeming 
us  by  Christ  in  the  fulness  of  time,  calling  us  to  Christ  in  the  day  of 
his  power,  pardoning  our  sins  and  justifying  us  by  Christ  in  the  time 
of  love,  enabling  our  hearts  to  choose  Christ  and  walk  with  him  in 
holiness  ?  What  shall  we  say  to  these  things?  Say  I  with  our  Lord 
in  sweet  submission  to  his  sovereign  Avill,  even  so  Father,  for  so  it 
seemed  good  in  thy  sight ;  we  give  thee  the  glory  of  all ;  we  wel- 
come these  things  as  the  joy  of  our  souls  ;  glory  to  thee,  O  Spirit, 
for  opening  our  blind  eyes  to  see  the  glory  of  them  and  humbling 
our  proud  hearts  to  submit  to  them.  But  what  shall  we  say  to  those 
who  oppose  these  things  ?  Satan  will.  Resist  him  stedfastly  in  the 
faith  of  them.  Your  carnal  reason  will.  Beg  Chrirt  to  bring  it  into 
captivity  to  them.  Self-righteous  men  will.  Pity  them  ;  treat  them 
with  love,  consistent  with  zeal  for  the  truth.  Ever  remember,  who 
made  you  to  differ  ? 

Base  pride  and  wicked  unbelief,  My  God,  instead  of  bold  replies 

Reject  thy  truths,  O  Lord  !  Against  thy  sov'reign  grace  ; 

Hence  conscience  gets  no  sweet  relief.  Teach  me,  that  here  true  wisdom  lies, 
Nor  comfort  from  thy  word.  To  bow  before  thy  face.  M. 


MAY    18.  141 

And  be  found  in  him. ...Phil.  iii.  9. 

WhatI  the  heavenly-inspired,  holy,  self-denied  Paul,  who  had 
the  richest  experience  of  grace,  manifold  gifts  of  the  Spirit,  been 
<;aught  up  to  the  third  heaven,  and  laboured  more  abundanuy  than 
all  the  apostles,  has  he  got  no  farther  yet  than  to  have  no  other 
hope  and  desire  than  such  a  worthless  sinner  as  I?  What !  had  not 
he  arrived  at  perfection  ?  Had  he  no  inherent  righteousness,  no 
graces  of  the  Spirit,  no  holiness,  no  fruits  of  good  works,  no  sincere 
obedience,  no  terms  and  conditions  he  had  performed  to  look  to, 
rely  upon,  and  desire  to  be  found  in  at  the  bar  of  God  ?  No  ;  but  he 
had  got  precious  faith  in  a  precious  Saviour.  Therefore,  he  looks 
out  of  himself,  out  of  all  that  was  wrought  in  and  done  by  him,  he 
pisses  it  all  by  ;  he  looks  through  it  all  to  Jesus  ;  he  renounces  it  all 
in  point  of  justification  before  God,  and  puts  the  issue  of  his  eternal 
life  and  salvation  upon  being  found  in  Christ  and  having  on  his 
inlinitcly  perfect  and  everlastingly  glorious  righteousness.  Beza  upon 
this  place,  brings  in  the  justice  of  God  pursuing  Paul  as  a  male- 
factor, and  Christ  as  a  city  of  refuge  which  he  desires  to  flee  to 
and  be  found  in.  Mr.  Burkit,  though  not  the  most  consistent  expo- 
sitor, yet  this  is  one  of  the  many  excellent  things  which  he  says, 
'•■  Christ's  perfect  obedience  entitles  us  to  heaven."  From  Paul's 
djsire  we  learn,  1st.  What  is  the  sole  object  of  a  convinced  sinner's 
faith  ;  not  what  he  is  in  himself,  not  any  thing  wrought  in  him  or 
done  by  him,  but  wholly  and  exclusively  of  every  other  matter  or 
thing,  the  person  and  righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God.  If  you 
have  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  you  will  rest  your  soul's  hope  only 
upon  Christ,  and  desire  to  be  found  in  him  in  life,  in  death,  and  at 
judgment.  2d.  Let  us  beware  hence  that  we  do  not  slight,  despise 
and  decry  the  graces  and  fruits  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  us  :  though 
these  are  not  to  be  looked  at  for  our  justification,  yet  they  are  com- 
fortable evidences  of  our  being  one  with  Christ  and  interested  in  the 
Father's  everlasting  love  and  the  salvation  of  Christ :  they  are  not 
bestowed  on  us  to  rival  Christ  in  our  hope  ;  but  that  we  should 
glory  in  him  and  exalt  him  in  our  hearts,  lips  and  lives.  3d. 
Though  we  desire  to  be  found  only  in  Christ,  though  our  holy  walk 
and  good  works  cannot  justify  our  persons,  yet  they  justify  our  faith, 
our  profession,  yea,  and  the  doctrines  of  grace,  from  the  unjust 
charge  of  licentiousness.  O,  may  wc  be  more  and  more  concerned 
to  obey  Christ,  to  let  our  light  of  truth  shine  before  men,  that 
seeing  our  good  works  they  may  glorify  our  Father  who  is  in  hea- 
ven....Matt.  v.  16.  Lastly,  Paul  here  wishes  for  the  experienced 
comfort  and  sensible  blessing  of  being  found  in  Christ :  this  pre- 
cious enjoyment  we  also  should  covet  earnestly. 


14  2  MAY    19. 

Bui'ldi/iij;  up  yourselves  on  your  most  holy  faith.,.  Jude^  20. 

Instead  of  ^oin^on  comfortably  in  this  work,  many  are  ques- 
tioninj^,  I  do  not  know  whether  I  have  got  a  most  holy  faith  or  not : 
bring  this  to  a  point  to-night.  Has  the  ruinous  fabric  of  nature's 
self-confidence,  sclf-ri[jhteousness,  self-complacency,  and  self-pleas- 
ing ever  been  pulled  down  ?  Has  the  Spirit  convinced  you  of  sin  ? 
Do  you  see  yourself  a  lost,  ruined  sinner  ;  so  lost  and  so  ruined  by 
sin  that  no  one  but  the  Son  of  God  can  restore  and  save  you  ?  Do 
you  believe  that  he  came  to  save  sinners  ?  Is  it  the  desire  of  your 
heart  to  be  saved  from  all  sin  by  him  ?  If  so,  you  as  surely 
possess  a  holy  faith  as  you  enjoy  natural  life  ;  and  you  will  ^tt 
stronger  evidence  and  greater  assurance  of  it,  by  using  every  blessed 
means  to  prove  that  you  have  this  most  holy  faith,  while  you  build 
up  yourself  on  it.  1st.  This  will  appear  to  be  a  holy  faith,  by 
leading  out  your  soul  after  a  holy  Saviour,  to  be  rooted  and  built  up 
in  him,  and  established  in  the  faith  of  his  perfect  love  to  you  and 
finished  salvation  for  you,  abounding  therein  with  thanksgiving.... 
Col.  ii.  7.  You  Avill  not  live  a  day  but  praise  will  rise  in  your  heart 
to  the  Father  for  his  unspeakable  gift  of  Christ;  to  the  Son  for  giving 
himself  for  you ;  and  to  the  Spirit  for  the  gift  of  this  most  holy  faith 
to  you.  2d.  As  you  believe  sin  has  made  you  miserable  ;  that  it 
causes  God  to  hide  his  face  ;  clouds  your  views  of  the  sun  of  righ- 
teousness; grieves  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  damps  the  joys  of  faith  ; 
you  cannot,  you  dare  not  seek  happiness  in  the  pleasures  of  sin  : 
you  will  hate  it,  strive  against  it,  that  you  may  groAV  in  grace  and 
be  built  up  in  your  most  holy  faith.  3d.  As  you  believe  that  the 
earth  and  all  things  that  are  therein,  are  doomed  to  be  burnt  up, 
you  cannot  love  the  Avorld  so  as  to  set  your  affections  on  it  and  seek 
your  happiness  in  it.  You  hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  "  my  son 
give  me  thy  heart."  When  tempted  by  the  honors,  riches,  and 
pleasures  of  a  bewitching  world,  you  will  say  of  all,  you  bid  too 
little  to  purchase  me  :  I  have  a  holy  faith  ;  I  believe  that  my  holy 
(iod  can  make  me  infinitely  more  honorable,  rich,  and  happy,  than 
all  yoirr  toys  and  baubles.  For,  the  Lord  is  my  portion,  saith 
my  soul  :  I  can  say  so  in  the  confidence  of  my  most  holy  faith.  O 
christian,  bless  the  day  and  bless  the  Lord  when  this  holy  faith  was 
given  you.  Be  assured  a  holy  heaven  is  prepared  for  you,  and  that 
you  shall  enjoy  it,  so  surely  as  if  you  were  noAV  in  possession  of 
it ;  "  Receiving  the  end  of  your  faith,  even  the  salvation  of  your 
soul."....l  Pet.  i.  9. 

The  Lord  dirfcts  vliat  means  to  use,  Christ  is  the  sure  foundation  laid, 

To  huild  u;;  up  in  holy  fuith.  Be  careful  that  on  him  you  build. 

Then  let  us  daily  seek  and  choose,  Your  work  shall  prosper  and  be  madt. 

To  f  jllow  af.cr  what  he  miih.  Each  joy  and  comfort  for  to  yield. 


MAY   20.  143 

I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you....  Jo /ni  xiv.  2. 

~  If  a  person,  destitute  of  the  provisions  of  life,  had  a  promise 
from  some  noble  lord,  I  will  amply  provide  for  you,  I  "will  go  this 
day  to  court  and  get  a  place  for  you  :  if  he  beliered  his  word  and 
depended  on  his  p)Ower,  it  would  fill  his  heart  with  joy.  Suppose 
he  actually  succeeded  to  the  most  desirable  place,  and  that  it  was  in 
no  one's  power  to  displace  him.... what  then?  Why  this  would  add 
to  his  comfort:  but  though  no  one  would  take  his  place  front  him, 
yet,  alas!  there  is  one  who  will  very  soon  summon  him  to  another, 
the  place  appointed  for  all  living.  Ah  I  this  gives  a  damp  to  every 
earthly  enjoyment.  Off  hands  from  all  :  quit  your  hold  of  all  :  for 
you  hold  all  earthly  possessions  by  a  very  uncertain  tenure.  But, 
hear  your  Lord:  rejoice  at  his  words.  1st.  I  go,  willingly  and 
cheerfully  through  the  most  dreadful  scenes  of  horror,  agony  and 
death:  I  go,  to  face,  fight  with,  and  conquer  all  the  powers  of  earth 
and  hell  for  you:  such  is  my  love  to  you,  that  rather  than  you  shall 
perish  in  hell  for  your  sins,  I  go  to  suffer  all  the  torments  of  pain 
which  you  have  deserved.  Love  to  you  willingly  carries  me  through 
all,  makes  me  cheerful  in  all,  and  causes  me  to  triumph  over  all, 
.that  I  may  enter  into  heaven  for  you.  Dear  Lord,  let  us  have  a 
feeling  of  this  thy  precious  love  in  our  hearts  to-night.  2d.  To 
PREPARE  A  place:  I  will  not  reign  alone  in  my  leather's  kingdom, 
to  think  no  more  of  you,  nor  care  no  more  for  you;  but  as  it  is  his 
good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom,  I  will  enter  and  take  pos- 
session of  it  as  your  forerunner;  there  I  will  plead  my  blood  shed 
•for  you,  my  righteousness  to  justify  you,  and  my  salvation  to  glorify 
you.  3d.  For  you.  Who?  What  is  the  character  of  those  for 
whom  Christ  prepares  this  place?  Had  they  never  displeased  their 
Lord  ?  Did  they  never  offend  him  ?  Alas !  which  of  them  shall  we  fix 
on  as  a  perfect  character  ?  Peter  denied  him  with  oaths  and  curses  : 
all  shamefully  forsook  him.  Might  they  not  then,  forfeit  their  place 
in  glory  ?  Yes,  if  love  did  not  reign  and  grace  abound  in  the  heart  of 
Christ  over  all  the  aboundings  of  sin.  O,  foolish  thought  of  base 
unbelief,  that  Christ  should  prepare  a  place  in  heaven  for  those  who 
might  perish  in  hell!  but  see  them  described....verse  1.  They  had 
troubled  hearts  about  Christ  and  believed  in  him.  Judge  yourself 
to-night.  Do  you  believe  in  Christ?  Is  your  heart  troubled  lest  you 
should  lose  him?  Do  you  long  for  eternal  enjoyment  of  him?  Re- 
joice, he  has  prepared  a  place  for  you:  "Where  he  is,  there  shall  you 
be  also.".... John  xiv.  3. 

O  thou,  who  dost  prepare  a  place,  Prepare  my  soul,  and  make  me  meet, 

A  mansion  in  the  sky.  To  see  thy  face   above, 

For  sinners,  thy  redeemed  race;  That  I  in  heaven  may  take  my  seat. 

Lord,  to  my  soul  draw  nigh.  And  praise  thee  for  thy  love.     M. 


149  MAY  21. 

/  iv'dl  come  again  and  receive  you  wito  myself,  that  ivhei't 
I  am,  there  ye  may  be  also...  John  xiv.  3. 

Our  Lord  spoke  these  words  to  disciples  who  had  faith  in  him, 
and  yet  had  troubled  hearts.  Is  this  your  case?  They  are  suited  to 
all  such  ;  they  are  to  strengthen  the  faith  and  comfort  the  hearts  of 
disciples.  O,  this  coming  again  of  Christ  -will  be  the  cro^^ni^g 
work  of  all  I  To  whom  ?  Awful  to  think  of  I  the  greatest  part  of 
the  world  believe  nothing  of  Christ's  first  coming  and  care  nothing 
about  his  second  coming  :  it  will  be  a  dreadful  coming  to  them  ; 
"  I  will  come  again."  A  second  coming  implies  a  first :  if  Christ 
has  come  in  the  power  of  his  Spirit  to  our  hearts,  so  that  we  have 
seen  his  glory  and  believed  on  him,  we  shall  look  with  pleasure 
and  long  with  joy  for  his  coming  again  :  this  is  a  sure  mark  that 
we  shall  "receive  a  crown  of  righteousness,  if  we  love  the  appear- 
ing of  Christ. "....2.  Tim.  iv.  8.  Now  to  your  hearts  by  faith  ;  here- 
after by  sight :  "  I  will  receive  you  unto  myself."  Glory  to  thee, 
my  dear  Lord:  O,  make  my  heart  to  love  and  thank  thee  more 
and  more,  that  vile,  filthy,  polluted  and  abominable  as  I  am,  thou 
hast  received  me,  washed  me  in  thy  blood,  justified  me  in  thy  righ- 
teousness, caused  me  to  see  thee,  and  hast  given  mc  the  privi- 
lege of  becoming  a  son  of  God.  O,  what  a  day  of  joy  and  glory 
will  that  be,  when  our  dear  Lord  shall  receive  us  unto  him- 
self! That  is  a  sweet  word,  full  of  precious  mystery,  "  That 
Christ  might  present  it  to  himsklf,  a  glorious  church,  not  having 
spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing.". ...Eph.  v.  27.  "  For  he  hath 
sanctified  and  cleansed  us  in  his  own  blood."  O,  what  love  has  Christ 
to  us!  What  pains  does  he  take  with  us!  With  whaJt  joy  will  he 
receive  us  !  Never,  never  did  the  most  affectionate  bridegroom 
receive  his  bride,  or  the  most  tender  parent  his  beloved  child  from 
the  jaws  of  death,  with  that  joy  as  Christ  will  receive  and  welcome 
us;  "that  where  lam,  there  ye  may  be  also."  O,  my  soul,  what 
Mords  are  these!  enough  to  make  my  drooping  spirit  exult  with 
joy  under  all  its  burdens,  sorrows  and  difficulties.  Is  a  sense  of 
Christ's  absence  thy  present  pain?  Is  the  sense  of  his  presence  now 
thy  greatest  joy  ?  Then  soon,  very  soon  thou  shalt  be  forever  with 
t)iy  Lord;  for  so  sure  as  Jesus  spoke  these  words  on  earth,  all  his 
believing  members  shall  be  with  him  fn  glory.  O  then,  welcome 
pains,  sickness,  temptations,  losses,  crosses,  afflictions  of  every 
kind,  yea,  death  itself,  whenever  and  by  whatever  way  it  comes, 
for  ye  arc  all  but  only  as  so  many  love  tokens  from  my  Lord,  crying. 

Arise  ci/  fair  one,  come  away, 

No  mortal  joys  are  wortli  tliy  ^lay. 


MAY  2C.  145 

/  die  daily. ...  1  Cor.  xv.  3 1 . 

Paul  in  a  peculiar  sense  could  say  so:  he  was  daily  in  danger 
of  suffering  martyrdom  for  Christ :  he  puts  the  most  solemn  oath  to 
it,  "I  protest  by  our  (not  your)  rejoicing,  Mhich  I  have  in  Christ 
Jesus  our  Lord,  I  die  daily."  It  is  like  swearing  by  the  Koly  (Ihost, 
the  author  of  this  joy.  Happy  Paul !  The  joy  of  the  Lord  was  in 
his  heart,  the  prospect  of  enjoying  his  Lord  in  his  eye,  the  world 
under  his  feet,  and  he  daily  expecting  his  Lord's  messenger  to  call 
him  home;  this  was  living  indeed,  in  the  very  suburbs  of  glory: 
and  pray  what  should  hinder  you  and  I  from  living  as  he  did  ?  Paul 
was  the  subject  of  the  same  corrupt  nature,  in  which  dwelt  no  good 
thing,  as  we  are;  we  ha\e  the  same  Lord  to  look  to  and  rejoice  in, 
the  same  faith  and  hope  to  animate  us,  the  sainc  Holy  Ghost  to 
strengthen  and  comfort  us,  and  the  same  place  prepared  by  Christ 
for  us  as  he  had.  Why  should  not  we  also  die  daily  ?  Why  should 
not  we  live  a  dying  life?  All  do  in  reality  :  but  why  should  not  we 
in  sweet  practice,  and  happy  experience?  Plainly,  we  do  not  believe 
enough  what  our  Lord  hath  done  for  us,  is  to  us,  and  has  promised 
to  bestow  on  us  ;  therefore  do  not  look  and  pray  enough  to  our  Lord. 
My  dear  fellow-christians,  I  will  be  bold  to  enter  this  protest,  from 
the  experience  of  my  own  soul,  that  we  cannot  live  comfortably, 
unless  we  die  daily :  as  considering  ourselves  daily  subject  to  the 
stroke  of  death.  This  hour,  this  moment  may  put  a  period  to  my 
existence.  Why  then  all  my  busy  cares,  anxious  thoughts,  corrod- 
ing fears  and  ardent  desires  after  the  objects  of  time  and  sense? 
Death  will  soon  make  me  quit  my  hold  of  them  ;  but  I  will  be  before- 
hand with  him  ;  I  will  die  in  heart,  hope,  and  afTcclion  to  them. 
Take,  ye  sons  of  earth,  the  riches  honors,  and  pleasures  of  a  perish- 
ing world:  grasp  them  in  your  hand;  clasp  them  to  your  heart  if 
you  can;  but  lo,  instead  of  substance,  you  will  find  shadow ^  all 
are  but  airy  bubbles  that  will  elude  your  hope  ;  I  have  tried  them  all ; 
I  die  to  them  all  ;  for,  I  have  found  that  above,  which  kills  my 
\desires,  hopes  and  affections  to  all  below ;  I  find  a  once  crucified,  now 
risen  and  ascended  Saviour,  has  got  possession  of  my  heart ;  he 
dwells  there  by  faith  ;  Christ  is  in  me  the  hope  of  glory ;  the  glo- 
rious rays  of  my  sun  of  righteousness  extinguish  all  the  faint  light 
of  earthly  glow-worms  :  myA.ord  lives  in  me,  that  is  a  death  to  all 
without  me;  death  I  daily  fi^iliarize;  I  entertain  him  as  my  friend, 
converse  freely  and  daily  with  him,  lodge  him  in  my  breast ;  he  has 
my  daily  thoughts.  Why  ?  Because  my  Lord  introduces  him  to  my 
heart,  not  with  a  sting  to  wound  and  kill  me,  but  with  the  voice  of  a 
messenger  of  peace,  to  call  me  from  pains  and  trials  to  peace  and 
rest,  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  Jesus  above,  who  is  my  chief  glory  and 
my  life  below....Col.  iii.  4. 
Voj..  n.  T 


U5  MAY  2S. 

Honor  the  Lord  with  tliy  substance. ...Prov.  ili.  9. 

O,  MAY  this  be  the  daily  study  of  our  hearts  and  the  constant 
practice  of  our  lives !  "  Let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice,  and  give  honor 
to  the  Lord,  for  the  marriage  of  the  Lamb  is  come. "....Rev.  xix.  7. 
He  is  our  husband  :  ^ve  are  espoused  to  him  by  faith.  Consider  the 
v.ork  of  honoring  the  Lord  and  the  reasons  for  it.  1st.  The  work. 
What!  Can  I,  a  worm  of  the  earth,  honor  the  Lord  of  heaven? 
Yes,  thou  art  called  to  it,  and  formed  for  it:  this  honor  have  all  his 
saints  :  it  is  our  greatest  honor  on  earth  to  honor  our  Lord  in  heaven : 
"  All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  and  thy  saints  shall  bless 
thee.  They  shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom,  and  talk  of 
thy  power.  To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  his  mighty  acts, 
and  the  glorious  majesty  of  his  kingdom. "....Psalm  cxlv.  10,  11,  12. 
So  they  honored  the  Lord  of  old,  in  displaying  the  glory  of  his  grace : 
this  work  you  are  called  to,  if  you  have  seen  the  glory  of  his  king- 
dom, felt  the  power  of  it  and  entered  into  it  by  faith;  "Honor  the 
Lord  r.'ith  thy  substance."  Do  not  put  such  a  dry,  shrivelled  com- 
ment upon  the  word  substance,  as  though  it  meant  giving  a  trifle 
now  and  then  to  the  poor.  Remember,  "the  liberal  deviseih  liberal 
things,  and  by  liberal  things  he  shall  stand,  or  be  established." 
Isa.  xxxii.  8.  Do  not  dispense  shadow  when  the  Lord  requires  sub- 
stance. If  thy  soul  is  liberal,  thou  wilt  devise  liberal  things.  This 
text  will  not  only  remind  you  of  liberally  dispensing  of  your  svib- 
stance  to  the  poor  and  needy  ;  but  also  of  honoring  your  Lord  by 
the  faith  of  your  heart,  the  love  of  your  soul,  placing  your  whole 
affections  upon  him  and  devoting  your  substance,  your  whole  spirit, 
«oul  and  body  unto  him  :  you  will  not  be  content  with  notions  with- 
out life,  form  without  spirit,  worship  Avithout  the  heart,  religion 
without  the  soul.  For,  2d.  Consider  the  reason  for  this.  1st.  God 
has  put  the  highest  honor  upon  you  ;  "  He  has  called  you  into  the 
fellowship  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ."....!  Cor.  i.  9.  He  has  blessed 
you  with  ALL  spiritual  blessings  in  him....Eph.  i.  3.  There  is  not 
one  blessing  God  has  to  bestow,  or  Christ  is  possessed  of,  but  is 
treasured  up  for  you  in  Christ,  and  shall  be  received  out  of  the  ful- 
ness of  Christ.  Can  you  walk  in  the  fellowship  of  Christ  and  not 
delight  to  honor  God  with  your  substance  ?  2d.  You  received  all 
this  freely,  therefore  you  ought  to  give  freely  :  you  are  a  pensioner 
upon  God,  and  God  is  as  it  were  a  petitioner  to  you.  Can  you  re- 
fuse him  who  speaks  ?  Can  you  withhold  any  thing  from  him  by 
whom  you  enjoy  your  all?  3d.  You  have  but  a  little  while  to 
honor  your  Lord  :  let  the  faith  of  this  stir  you  up  to  exert  all  your 
might :  only  call  in,  and  congult  faith  and  love,  and  act  under  their 
influence  to  God's  glory. 


MAV  24.  J 47 

From  that  time,  many  of  his  disciples  icent  back,  and  walk- 
ed no  more  with  him.... John  vi.  66. 

Thus  was  fulfilled  that  -word,  "  how  can  two  walk  together, 
except  they  be  agreed  ?"....  Amos  iii.  3.  This  chapter  is  like  a 
touch-stone  ;  herein  our  Lord  tries  his  disciples,  to  see  who  are  real 
sterling  and  who  not  ;  many  are  his  professed,  but  few  his  real  dis- 
ciples ;  sifting  limes  will  come  ;  they  make  manifest  ;  the  hottest 
place  in  hell  is  prepared  for  those  who  turn  their  backs  upon  the 
Son  of  God  on  earth  :  Lord  grant  that  our  faces  may  be  set  like  a 
flint  towards  thee  ;  for,  blessed  be  thy  name,  thou  hast  said  of  those 
who  continue  with  thee  in  thy  temptations  :  "  I  appoint  unto  you  a 
kingdom  :  ye  shall  cat  and  drink  at  my  table.".. ..Luke  xxii.  29,  30. 
But  those  who  are  not  agreed  with  Christ,  have  not  the  mind  of 
Christ,  will  not  walk  long  with  him.  See  this  exemplified.  1st. 
"  Some  of  these  disciples  followed  Christ  for  the  loaves  and  fishes." 
...John  vi.  26.  Those  who  follow  Christ,  to  get  food  for  theip 
bodies  and  the  good  things  of  this  life,  instead  of  food  for  the  soul, 
will  soon  forsake  him.  Christ's  blessings  are  spiritual,  their  views 
are  carnal.  Such  are  not  agreed  with  him.  2d.  Others  murmured 
at  him,  because  he  said,  "  I  came  down  from  heaven. "....John  vi.  4  L 
They  were  ignorant  of  his  mission  from  the  Talher.  Many  people 
hear  again  and  again  of  Christ,  but  have  no  solid,  scriptural  judg- 
ment of  the  divinity  of  his  person  and  humanity  of  his  nature,  nor 
the  end  and  design  of  his  coming  into  the  world  ;  for  want  of  know- 
ledge of  him,  and  faith  in  him,  they  soon  forsake  him.  3d.  Others 
could  not  receive  his  saying,  "  except  ye  eat  the  flesh  and  drink  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  man,  ye  have  no  life  in  you.".... John  vi.  53. 
His  words  were  spiritual,  their  notions  carnal :  they  could  not  see 
how  Christ  could  be  the  spiritual  food  of  souls  by  faith  ;  so, 
many  in  our  day  cry,  where  mystery  begins  religion  ends  :  these 
left  following  Christ.  4lh.  His  doctrine  of  his  Father's  sovereign 
grace  was  a  galling  cut  to  the  free-will  pride  of  their  self-righteous, 
self-suflicient  hearts  :  "  No  man  can  come  unto  me,  except  it  were 
given  unto  him  of  my  Father.". ...John  vi.  65.  "  From  that  speech" 
(time  is  not  in  the  original)  "  many  of  his  disciples  went  back, 
and  walked  no  more  with  hinu"  O,  how  many  professed  disciples 
in  our  day,  are  belchiiyg  out  horrid  speeches  against  the  elected 
love  and  efficacious  grace  of  God  tlu;  Father,  in  drawing  sinners  to 
his  Son  for  salvation  !  Poor  souls,  they  have  not  the  mind  of  Christ ; 
they  see  not  the  special  mercy  of  being  under  the  efficacious  influ- 
ence of  the  Spirit  of  the  Father.  O  discipk,  let  the  falling  way 
of  others  warn  thee  :  be  strong  in  the  Lord  :  be  diflRdent  in  self  : 
Jook  constantly  to  him,  that  is  able  to  keep  you  from  falling.. .► 
Jude  xxLv. 


148  MAY  25. 

I  laboured  more  abundantly  than  ihcy  all ;  yet  not  I,  but  the 
grace  of  God  zihich  ivas  icil/i  me....\  Cor.  xv.  10.    . 

Whkn  one  meets  with  journals,  diaries,  experiences,  &c.  "^'liich 
do  not  exalt  the  riches  of  the  grace  of  God,  but  set  off  the  self- 
importance  of  the  writers  of  them,  they  are  as  nauseous  to  the  mind 
as  tainted  food  to  the  palate  ;  they  remind  of  the  poet's  observation, 
"  and  I  the  little  hero  of  each  tale."  Not  so  Paul,  in  speaking  of 
himself;  no  sooner  had  he  brought  this  little,  great  I,  upon  the 
stage,  but  he  instantly  clapt  it  under  the  hatches  :  hence  this  doc- 
trine is  plain  ;  the  grace  of  God  makes  a  person  laI)our  for  God  and 
yet  keeps  him  humble  before  God.  Consider,  1st.  To  have  the 
grace  of  God  with  one,  is  to  have  a  lively  sense  of  God's  free 
favor  in  Christ  upon  one's  own  soul  ;  without  this  we  go  on  heavily 
in  the  ways  of  God,  soon  tire  in  his  service,  and  turn  back  and 
walk  no  more  with  Christ :  this  was  the  life  and  spring  of  all  Paul's 
labours.  See  to  it  then,  that  we  wrestle  with  God  in  prayer,  study 
the  precious  word  of  his  grace,  and  be  diligent  in  attending  his 
ordinances,  that  we  may  ever  have  a  lively  sense  of  God's  pardon- 
ing, justifying,  sanctifying  grace  in  Christ  upon  our  hearts,  ever 
cautiously  avoid  all  persons,  places  and  things,  which  tend  to  grieve 
the  Spirit  and  damp  his  lively  influence.  For,  2d.  Every  private 
christian  is  called  to  labour  for  God,  as  well  as  apostles  and  ministers. 
There  is  such  a  thing  as  receiving  the  grace  of  God  in  vain.  How  ? 
When,  we  profess  to  esteem  and  receive  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel 
of  grace,  and  yet  they  bring  not  forth  in  us  correspondent  fruits. 
O,  how  much  is  this  the  case  among  professors  !  How  greatly  to 
be  deplored  and  deprecated  !  What  !  do  you  profess  to  know  God 
and  yet  in  works  deny  him  ?  Do  you  believe  the  love  to,  and  salva- 
tion of  Christ  for  miserable  sinners  ?  and  yet  can  you,  instead  of 
labouring  for  his  glory,  be  idle,  in  not  living  and  walking,  studying 
and  striving  to  please  our  Saviour  and  profit  his  dear  children  ? 
Have  you  the  grace  of  God  with  you  ?  It  is  to  be  feared.  If  you 
have,  you  have  sadly  lost  its  life  and  influence.  O,  be  deeply 
affected  for  your  slate.  3d.  Is  the  grace  of  God  warm  upon  our 
hearts?  Arc  we  lively  and  active  for  God's  glory  in  our  lives?  Do 
wc  labor  more  than  others  for  Ciod  ?  O,  let  us  beware  we  do  not 
sacrifice  to  ourselves,  exalt  our  own  power  and  faithfulness  ;  for 
true  grace  will  keep  us  low  and  humble  :  in  the  light  of  it  we  shall 
sec  how  little  we  do  for  God,  how  much  more  we  ought  to  do  ; 
and  in  the  little  we  do,  how  much  evil  there  is  in  it,  and  how  far 
short  we  come  in  all  of  his  glory :  "  Be  clothed  with  humility.".... 
iPet.  v.  5. 

He  is  most  blest,  who  labours  most       But  after  all  we  dare  not  boast, 
In  God's  most  holy  ways;  For  all  is  done  through  grace.     M. 


MAY   26.  14,9 

Jesus  said,  verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  except  ye  eat  the 
Jiesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and  drink  his  blood,  ye  have  ?io 
life  in  you...  John  \\.  53. 

Ignorant  souls,  ivho  sit  under  unenlightened  teachers,  are 
taught  to  apply  these  words  to  the  sacrament:  hence  they  think,  if 
they  do  but  receive  the  sacrament,  they  surely  eat  the  flesh  and  drink 
tile  blood  of  Christ,  their  sins  are  pardoned,  all  is  well,  and  they  shall 
go  to  heaven  at  last.  O,  how  horridly  is  that  sacred  ordinance  prosti- 
tiited  I  "  The  wicked,  such  as  be  void  of  a  lively  faith,  do  carnally  and 
visibly  press  with  their  teeth  the  sacrament  of  the  body  and  blood  of 
Christ;  yet  in  no  wise  are  they  partakers  of  Christ:  but  rather  to 
their  condemnation,  do  eat  and  drijik  the  sign  or  sacrament  of  so 
great  a  tiling,"  says  St.  Austin.  What  doth  our  Lord  here  mean  ? 
1  St.  That  naturally  we  have  no  spiritual  life  in  us ;  we  are  dead  under 
the  sentence  of  the  law ;  as  dead  to  all  knowledge  of,  love  to,  and 
delight  in  (iod,  as  a  beast:  we  have  no  more  likeness  to  God  and 
the  life  of  God  in  us,  than  a  devil  has.  O,  this  is  very  cutting  and 
humbling  to  our  proud  nature;  flesh  and  blood  rise  with  indignation 
against  it.  But,  2d.  What  joyful  news  is  here  for  us:  Christ  came, 
that  we  sinners  of  the  human  race  (not  fallen  angels)  might  have  life, 
a  spiritual,  holy,  heavenly  life,  yea  and  have  it  more  abundantly  too..... 
John  X.  10.  O,  may  the  Spirit  enlighten  us  to  see  this  and  quicken  us 
to  go  to  Christ  that  we  may  enjoy  it.  For,  3d.  This  is  by  eating  his  , 
flesh  and  drinking  his  blood  ;  our  Lord  puts  his  strong  oath  to  it,  that 
in  this  way,  and  in  no  other,  we  can  have  it;  and  this  fully  confirms 
that  in  this  way  we  are  sure  to  enjoy  it.  4th.  What  is  meant  by  eat- 
ing Christ's  flesh  and  drinking  his  blood  ?  Our  Lord  deals  most 
familiarly  with  us;  he  sends  us  to  our  tables  to  form  proper  ideas 
of  what  he  is  to  us.  Just  what  eating  and  drinking  natural  food  is 
to  the  body,  that  Christ  is  to  the  soul:  as  that  cannot  live  without 
eating  and  drinking,  no  more  can  our  souls  without  the  flesh  and 
blood,  the  life  and  death  of  Christ,  received  into  our  hearts  by  faith  : 
thus  we  enjoy  the  life  of  God  in  our  souls.  But,  5th.  Here  is  a 
precious  word:  "The  Son  of  man."  Faith  must  fasten  upon  that : 
it  is  feeding  upon  the  humanity  of  Christ  that  brings  us  to  enjoy 
the  divine  life  ;  we  come  to  God  through  the  flesh  of  Christ;  we 
feed  on  the  flesh  and  blood  of  the  Son  of  man,  and  so  become  one 
flesh  with  him;  "we  are  flesh  of  his  flesh,  and  bone  of  his  bone.".... 
Eph.  v.  30.  W'e  are  incorporated  into  him  ;  and,  O  joyful,  are 
presented  tg  the  Father  without  spot  or  wrinkle  in  HiM....Eph.  y.  27. 


ijO  MAY  2r. 

Jji/  I  in)  ivords  thou  shall  be  justified y  and  by  iJit/  words  ihoit 
siuiU  be  condemned.. ..Malt.  xii.  37. 

Who  then  can  be  saved?  Is  not  this  legal  doctrine?  Does  it 
not  contradict  that  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  gospel,  justification 
by  f.ulh,  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ  only  ?  No;  no  more  than 
St.  James,  in  maintaining  justification  by  works,  contradicts  St. 
Paul,  who  insists  upon  justification  by  faith:  they  are  easy  to  be 
reconciled ;  so  are  tliese  words  to  justification  by  grace.  Surely  our 
Lord  never  meant  to  contradict  his  own  words,  "he  that  bclieveth 
on  him  that  sent  me,  hath  everlasting  life,  and  shall  not  come  into  con- 
demnation, but  is  passed  from  death  unto  life."  He  cannot  mean  to 
overthrow  our  faith,  dibtress  our  souls,  and  cause  us  to  rest  our  final 
justification  at  the  last  day,  upon  either  our  Avords  or  our  Morks  ; 
if  so,  woe  unto  the  most  perfect  ;  it  had  been  better  for  that  man 
he  had  never  been  born,  for  eternal  condemnation  must  be  his 
doom:  but  justification  by  faith  in  Christ  is  ever  to  be  held  fast  in 
the  conscience  as  the  everlasting  truth  of  an  unchangeable  God,  the 
foundation  of  hope,  the  source  of  peace,  an  inexhaustible  fountain 
of  joy,  and  the  spring  of  holiness.  But  what  means  our  Lord? 
O,  may  he  give  us  to  understand.  In  the  preceding  verse,  he  says» 
'■for  every  idle  word  men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  account 
thereof."  The  most  learned  translate  it,  malicious  or  wicked  words. 
Now  our  Lord,  just  before,  treats  of  "  speaking  a  word  against  the 
Son  of  man. "....verse  32.  Therefore,  for  these  malicious  words, 
resulting  from  their  unbelief  and  rejection  of  Christ,  men  shall  be 
condemned  :  the  words  of  the  lips  proclaim  the  disposition  of  the 
heart :  as  words  condemn  Christ,  so  for  such  words  they  shall  be 
condemned  by  Christ :  so  by  thy  words  approving  of,  and  confess- 
ing Christ's  blood  to  be  the  one  atonement  for  sin,  and  his  obedience 
the  ONE  righteousness  to  justify  sinners,  thou  shalt  be  justified; 
*'forvs'ith  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  righteousness,  and  with  the 
mouth  confession  is  made  unto  salvation. "....Rom.  x.  10.  Thus 
the  fate  of  every  soul  at  the  last  day,  will  be  determined  by  his  faith 
in  Christ  or  his  unbelief  of  him,  declared  by  his  words  ;  they  will 
be  called  in  as  evidences  of  faith  unto  eternal  life,  or  of  unbelief 
unto  eternal  death;  they  will  justify  our  failn,  or  condemn  ouf 
unbelief.  By  our  words  we  understand  the  general  tenor  of  our 
conversation.  Paul  speaks  of  a  conversation  becoming  the  gospel.... 
Phil.  i.  27.  Peter  of  a  good  conversation  in  Christ....  1  Pet.  iii.  16. 
Without  this,  O  disciple,  what  evidence  have  you  that  you  have 
the  faith  of  God's  elect  now,  or  shall  be  finally  justified  at  the  last 
day  ?  "  Without  liolincss,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord."....Heb.. 
xii.  1 1. 


MAY  38.  131 

From  the  rising  of  the  sun,  unto  the  going  dorcn  of  the  same, 
the  Lord's  name  is  to  be  praised. ...Psalm  cxiii.  3. 

Praise  is  the  incessant  employ  of  glorified  saints  in  heaven  : 
there  they  fully  see  and  eternally  sing  of  the  electing,  redeeming, 
sanctifying,  glorifying  love  of  the  blessed  trinity.  May  oiir  souls 
catch  some  of  the  heavenly  flame  of  love,  and  imitate  them  in  our 
praise  to-night  ;  this  is  the  work,  of  an  humble  heart  :  pride  is  th« 
parent  of  murmuring  and  discontent.  A  sense  of  the  blessings  of 
the  Lord  and  a  sight  of  the  unworthiness  of  them,  excite  praises  in 
the  heart  :  this  is  the  language  of  a  praising  soul,  why  me,  Lord  ? 
Why  am  I  singled  out  from  the  ruins  of  a  fallen  race,  to  partake 
of  thy  special  grace,  peculiar  love,  and  precious  salvation  ?  Am  I 
better  than  others  ?  Have  I  done  more  to  deserve  thy  mercies  than 
others  ?  Have  I  a  greater  right  to  challenge  thy  favor  than  others  ? 
O  Lord,  why  me  ?  Thus,  while  the  soul  sinks  in  humility  it  risss 
in  praise.  David  describes  saints,  with  the  "  highest  praises  of 
God  in  their  mouth,  and  a  two  edged  sword  in  their  hand. "....Psalm 
cxlix.  6.  What  for  ?  To  execute  vengeance  upon  their  heathen 
notions,  of  sacrificing  any  praise  to  themselves,  or  ascribing  any 
thing  to  their  own  deserts  :  these  are  special  marks  of  a  regenerate 
person.  1st.  His  heart  is  formed  for,  and  his  soul  delights  to 
praise  the  Lord  at  all  times  :  for  he  s.;cs  himself  infinitely  and  en- 
tirely indebted  to  the  grace  of  God,  for  all  he  is,  all  he  enjoys,  and 
all  he  hopes  for.  2d.  It  is  his  grief  that  he  cannot  praise  the 
Lord  as  he  v/ould  without  intermisson,  "  from  the  rising  of  the  sun 
to  the  going  down  of  the  same  :"  for  worthy  is  the  Lord  of  un- 
ceasing praise.  His  mercies  are  renewed  every  morning,  continued 
unto  evening,  and  repeated  in  the  night-season.  But  here  is  a 
precious  word  in  this  Psalm  that  endears  the  Lord  to  us,  and  excites 
praise  from  us  :  "  Who  is  like  unto  the  Lord  our  God  who  dwelleth 
on  high?"  Who  HUMBLETH  himself.. ..pause,  O  my  soul,  at  that 
astonishing  word  :  how  did  the  most  high  God  humble  himself? 
To  the  most  low  and  abject  state  ;  made  himself  of  no  reputation, 
took  on  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  a  mean  mun  :  yea  more,  became 
obedient  to  the  most  ignominious  death,  even  the  cursed  death  of 
the  cross.... Phil.  ii.  8.  O,  my  soul,  though  vile  in  thine  own  eyes, 
though  of  no  repute  in  the  world,  consider  this  :  thou  canst  never 
want  an  inexhaustible  fund  of  comfort,  and  a  never-failing  source 
for  praise.  "Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul:  and  all  that  is  within 
me  bless  his  holy  name."....Psalm  ciii.  1. 

Each  risen  sun  that  I  behnld,  The  shades  of  each  revolving  night. 

Calls  for  my  daily  praise:  Proclaim  thy  grace  to  me  ; 

Thy  mercies,  Lord,  can  ne'er  be  told:  O  joyful  hope  !  O  prospect  bright ! 
How  rich  I  how  free  thy  gracp !  In  heav'u  I  shall  praiso  thee.     M, 


152  iVIAY    29. 

Come,  hmj  xcine  and  milk,  without  money  and  without  price 
....ha.  Iv.  1. 

A  FREE  gospel  is  the  glory  of  God's  grace,  the  joy  of  humble 
souls,  the  envy  of  malicious  devils,  and  the  contempt  of  proud, 
self-righteous  pharisees.  Milk  is  the  pure,  sweet,  soul-nourishing 
doctrines  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Winf.  is  the  generous,  heart- 
reviving:  comforts,  of  pardon  of  sins  and  peace  with  God  through 
the  blood  of  Christ :  the  Lord  knows  we  cannot  grow  strong,  not 
be  comfortable  in  our  souls,  without  this  precious  milk  and  ani- 
mating M'ine.  Here  is  the  Lord's  open  house,  public  market,  free 
invitation  and  fixed  price.  Comk,  draw  nigh  to  me;  keep  not 
at  a  distance  from  me,  saith  the  Lord  ;  make  no  excuse,  nor  any 
'delay  ;  come  now  this  moment :  here  is  a  free  invitation  and  a 
hearty  welcome.  O,  the  love  of  our  Lord's  heart!  Buy.  Ait 
thou  rich  ?  Such  the  Lord  sends  empty  away.  Hast  thou  brought 
a  stock  of  thine  own  faithfulness,  terms  thou  hast  fulfilled,  and 
conditions  performed  to  buy  with  ?  Then  instead  of  wine  and  milk 
thou  wilt  receive  a  scourge  from  the  Lord.  Remember,  those  wlio 
bought  he  whipt  out  of  his  temple.  (),  saith  the  poor  self-emptied, 
soul-humbled  sinner,  this  word  buy  puts  me  to  a  stand:  I  am  poor 
and  pennyless ;  I  have  nothing  to  bring  but  misery  and  poverty  ;  I 
am  perishing  for  want  of  comfort.  Thou  art  the  very  person  in- 
vited :  the  Lord  filleth  the  hungry  with  good  things.  O,  precious 
word  of  marvellous  grace!  Buy. ...without  money  and  without 
PRICE  or  money's  worth.  What !  have  I  been  five,  ten,  twenty 
years  or  upwards  in  Christ,  and  have  I  got  no  inherent  stock  of 
grace,  no  more  worth  or  value  to  buy  with  than  I  had  when  I  first 
came  to  him  as  a  poor,  naked  and  perishing  sinner?  Must  I  come 
as  at  first,  poor  and  pennyless  ?  Yes  :  or  not  at  all.  The  Lord 
knows  v/hat  thou  art ;  he  invites  thee  just  as  thou  art ;  his  price 
just  suits  thy  abject  poverty.  What  an  affront  would  it  be  to  a 
dear  friend  to  bring  a  price  in  our  hands  for  a  rich  entertainment, 
vith  a  free  invitation?  No  affectionate  mother  more  freely  adminis- 
ters the  breast  of  nourishment  to  her  hunting  infant,  than  the  Lord 
his  milk  and  wine  to  thirsty  souls.  Faith  works  by  the  love  of  this: 
it  operates  upon  the  heart,  so  as  to  produce  sincere  love  to  (lod  and 
cliecrful  obedience  to  his  word  and  will:  but  base  unbelief,  with  a 
bastard  humility,  raises  jealousies  and  suspicions  of  the  Lord's  lich 
love  and  free  grace.  One  says,  it  cannot  be  for  me,  I  am  too  vile  ; 
another,  I  am  unworthy  of  it.  Christ  says,  "  whosoever  will,  let 
him  come.".... Rev.  xxii.  17. 

1  thank  thee,  Lord,  who  fixtthy  price,  No  works,  no  worthiness  have  I, 
Exactly  suited  to  my  case:  To  bring  before  my  Lord  to  plead. 

Tho*  poor  and  vile  in  my  own  eyes,      But  still  thou  sayest,  come  and  buy : 
I'm  fiecly  welcome  lo  thy  grace.  Thy  grace,  my  Lord,  is  free  indeed- 


MAY  30.  153 

Jnd  confessed  they  were  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the 
earth....Heh.  xi.  13. 

O  YE  worldly-minded  professors,  can  ye  read  this  without  being 
ashamed  and  reproved?  What  will  bring  a  man  to  this  confession? 
Will  sickness  and  a  near  approach  to  death?  O  no:  men  return 
from  the  most  dangerous  illness  to  greater  love  of  the  world  and 
more  ardent  pursuit  after  the  things  of  it.  Look  at  a  dying  world- 
ling ;  see  him,  like  a  drowning  man,  clenching  the  faster  what  he 
has  grasped  for  his  hope  and  help.  Men  not  only  live  fools  but  die 
fools  too:  their  senses  beguile  them;  their  reason  befools  ihem  ; 
they  reject  the  plainest  truths  before  them.  Nothing  will  kill  the 
love  of  a  bewitching  world,  in  a  deceitful  heart,  but  the  view  of 
heaven  by  faith:  no  man  will  confess  himself  a  stranger  to  the  world 
and  a  pilgrim  on  the  earth,  until  he  sees  himself  "  a  fellow-citizen 
with  the  saints  and  of  the  household  of  God."....Epli.  ii.  19.  As 
\ve  say,  we  will  not  quit  u  certainty  for  an  uncertainty  :  admire  these 
ancient  heroes  of  faith  :  view  and  imitate  their  conduct.  What 
caused  this  confession?  1st.  They  had  not  received  the  promises: 
the  Messiah  was  not  then  come  from  heaven  with  all  the  inestimable 
blessings  of  his  kingdom;  yet  they  believed  in  him,  looked  to  him, 
and  lived  by  faith  upon  him  as  promised  to  come.  For,  2d.  Though 
they  saw  the  precious  promises  afar  off,  yet  they  were  realized  to 
their  hearts  by  faith  :  the  distance  of  them  did  not  weaken  their 
confidence  in  the  existence  of  them:  faith  brought  them  nigh  to 
their  minds.  For,  Sd.  they  were  persuaded  of  them  and  embraced 
them;  they  hugged  and  kissed  the  promises  of  God  as  the  chief 
delight  and  greatest  joy  of  their  souls.  Carnal  men  cry,  O  faith 
is  to  do  all  for  you!  No,  not  so:  Christ  has  done  all  for  us:  by  faith 
we  enjoy  all  the  comfort  of  it :  hence  wc  commence  followers  of 
Christ:  "strangers  and  pilgrims  on  the  earth,"  and  travellers  to  our 
Father's  kingdom.  Have  you  had  no  respect  paid  by  carnal  men  ? 
Do  they  see  nothing  about  you  to  laugh  at  and  deride  you  for?  No: 
then  you  have  great  reason  to  question  whether  you  are  a  real  fol- 
lower of  a  despised,  crucified  Lord  ;  the  world  will  love  its  own« 
Are  you  striving  to  keep  God  and  the  world  ?  Of  all  men  upon 
earth  you  are  most  to  be  pitied,  for  you  will  be  most  miserable  : 
most  joyful  to  say,  I  am  "  a  stranger  and  a  sojourner  as  all  my 
fathers  were."....P3alm  xxxix.  12. 

My  heart,  my  hope,  my  portion  is  Men  think  me  strange  that  I  can't  join 

In  Christ  my  Lord  above  :  With  them  to  take  my  part, 

I  wander  here,  and  find  no  bliss.  In  carnal  joys,  in  mirth  and  wine  j 

That'"s  worthy  of  my  love.  But,  Loid,  thou  hast  my  heart.    M. 

Vol.  II,  U 


m  MAY  31. 

God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.... Luke  xviii.  J  3. 

I  onEN  think,  -what  a  perfectionist  said  to  me,  upwards  of 
twenty  years  ago:  "  Do  not  goto  hear  such  preaching,  you  will  get 
such  a  notion  of  sinnership  as  though  you  are  to  be  a  poor  sinner 
all  your  days."  Truly,  after  being  so  long  in  Christ,  when  I  look 
into  the  glass  of  God's  law,  I  see  myself  just  the  same  poor  sinner 
I  was  at  first,  striving  against  sin  and  looking  to  Christ  for  salva- 
tion. I  thank  my  Lord,  I  do  not  trust  in  myself  that  I  am  righte- 
ous ;  yet  am  as  righteous  in  myself  as  any  poor  sinner  on  earth  is, 
and  as  righteous  in  Christ  as  any  saint  in  glory  is.  O,  the  humbling 
joy  of  faith!  It  brings  boldness  of  access  to  God  into  the  heart 
while  it  kills  self-righteous  confidence.  Many  poor  souls  are  apt  to 
say,  I  am  afraid  to  approach  God,  I  am  such  a  sinner;  I  tremble 
to  think  what  will  become  of  ine ;  I  fear  God  will  cast  me  off  for- 
ever, and  damn  me  eternally  for  my  sins.  No,  saith  the  Lord, 
"  my  thoughts  are  not  as  your  thoughts.  Return  unto  the  Lord, 
and  he  will  have  mercy  upon  you;  and  to  our  God  for  he  will  abun- 
dantly pardon.".. ..Isa.  Iv.  7,  8.  But  what  plea  have  I  to  make?  As 
good  an  one  as  the  best  saint  upon  earth  has:  he  is  not  a  saint  in 
Christ  who  dares  make  any  other.  Here  it  is:  your  Lord  puts  it 
into  your  mouth,  and  assures  you  that  it  is  most  prevailing  before 
the  throne  of  God:  God  be  mkrcifulto  mk  a  sinnek.  But, 
•am  I  to  bring  no  works,  no  faith?  No:  your  faith  brings  you ;  faith 
leaves  all  works  behind,  it  relies  on  God's  gracious  promises,  it 
pleads  God's  rich  mercy  in  Christ  to  poor,  perishing  sinners.  Thus 
seek  mercy:  thus  beseech  God  to  be  propitious  to  you.  But  must 
1  not  bring  repentance?  You  cannot  come  without,  if  you  have 
fi\ith :  repentance  flows  from  faith ;  is  a  change  of  mind  concerning 
the  object  of  bope  for  salvation;  and  a  change  of  conduct  towards 
that  object.  A  cry  for  mercy  to  God  in  Christ,  as  miserable 
sinners,  is  the  laaguage  of  true  repentance-  But  am  I  to  live  in  sin 
and  walk  in  sin,  and  yet  cry,  God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner?  You 
cannot,  if  this  cry  comes  from  your  heart,  affected  with  the  evil  of 
sin  ;  1K>  more  than  you  can  cry  to  be  delivered  from  devouring 
flames,  and  yet  cojitentedly  cont'mue  in  the  midst  of  them :  but 
when  we  cast  in  our  minds  for  a  plea,  we  have  the  most  blessed 
one,  the  full  atonement  and  perfect  righteousness  of  Jesus  ;  there- 
fore there  is  never  any  room  for  despair;  "let  us  come  boldly  unto 
the  throne  of  grace  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  to 
lielp  in  time  of  nced."....lleb.  iv.  18. 

I  daily  live  by  mercy  free,  Then  let  me  take  the  lowest  place. 

To  me  a  sinner  shew'd  ;  Of  deep  humility, 

I've  nought  to  claim  from  God  to  me,    And  if  1  ever  see  Christ's  face, 
We  gxsti,  because  he's  good.  There's  nothing  due  to  me.      M. 


JUNE   I.  15S 

But  now  in  Christ  Jesus,  ye  ivho  were  sometimes  afar  ojfy 
are  made  nigh  by  the  btood  of  Christ. ...EpJws.  ii.  13. 

If  one  was  asked,  do  you  live  near  the  court  ?  Have  you  free 
access  to  his  majesty  ?  Did  you  ever  kiss  the  king's  hand  ?  Who 
•would  hesitate  one  moment  for  an  answer  ?  Consciousness  would 
instantly  dictate  one.  Pray,  is  christian  experience  so  dark  and 
doubtful  a  matter,  that  if  asked,  are  you  brought  nigh  to  God  ? 
Do  you  live  near  God  ?  Have  you  free  access  to  God  ?  That  we 
cannot  answer  with  some  degree  of  knowledge  and  certainty  ?  O, 
my  dear  fellow-ciiristians,  though  we  arc  brought  nigh  to  God,  yet 
we  do  not  live  near  him  :  hence  our  doubt  and  uncertainty  :  our 
hearts  and  affections  get  roving  in  the  high  roads  of  earthly  honor, 
riches  or  pleasures  :  here  clouds  of  dust  arise  ;  they  so  dim  our 
sight  and  cloud  our  views,  that  Ave  can  hardly  see  our  way  or  tell 
where  we  arc.  Here  we  are  reminded,  1st.  That  we  "  were  some- 
times afar  off."  Awful  distance  I  As  far  as  possible  from  Ciod, 
because  so  far  from  original  righteousness  ;  as  far  off  from  God  as 
a  devil.  Naturally,  no  more  desire  to  draw  nigh  to  him:  nay, 
satan  had  possession  of  us,  ruled  in,  and  reigned  over  us  :  we  loved 
our  master,  hated  our  God,  and  delighted  at  our  distance  from  him. 
O,  be  covered  with  shame,  be  clothed  with  humility,  yet  lift  up 
your  head  with  joy.  For,  2d.  We  are  brought  nigh  to  Ciod.  (>> 
says  one,  I  wish  I  was  sure  of  this.  It  is  true  in  the  word,  thai 
sinners  are  brought  nigh  to  (iod  :  you  can  only  know  this  for  your- 
self by  experience.  Therefore  consider,  3d.  How  we  are  brought 
nigh  :  by  the  blood  of  Christ :  by  faith  in  him  we  are  reconciled  to 
God,  justified  before  God,  and  at  peace  with  God.  If  you  are 
brought  nigh  to  God,  1st.  Christ  is  precious  to  yon  ;  yo>ir  heart  is 
towards  him  ;  your  hope  is  fixed  on  him.  2d.  His  blood  is  highly 
prized  by  you  :  you  look  to  his  atonenu-nt  for  the  pardon  of  your 
sins,  to  cleanse  your  conscience  from  guilt,  aiwi  to  bring  peace  ta 
your  soul.  3d.  By  him  you  delight  to  draw  nigh  to- Gad,  making 
his  blood  and  righteousness  your  only  plea  for  salvation.  And,  4th. 
You  will  live  near  to  God  in  love  and  walk  before  him  in  holiness  i 
you  will  hate  the  things  you  once  loved,  and  love  the  things  you 
once  hated  ;  in  this  way  only  you  can  enjoy  fellovvskip  and  peace 
with  God,  comfort  from  God,  and  assurance  that  you  are  a  child  of 
(;od.  Says  Christ,  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  conmiandments,  and 
the  comforter  sliall  abide  with  you  for  ever.".. .. John  xiv.  15,  16. 

Brought  nigh  to  God  by  Jesu's  blood,  Live  near  to  Christ,  and  daily  prore, 

Poor  sinners  here*s  good  news!  Your  fellowship  divine, 

O,  bless  your  dear  redeeming  God,  Abide  in  his  most  precious  love, 

And  on  him  ever  muse.  Till  you  in  glory  shine.              M:. 


156  JUNE   2. 

As  for  we  I  will  call  upon  God,  and  the  Lord  shall  save 
me. ...Psalm  Iv.  16. 

I  HAVE  been  often  struck  with  the  conduct  of  blind  Bartimeus: 
when  "  many  chart^ed  him  to  hold  his  peace,  he  crk-d  tht  move  a 
great  deal,  thou  son  of  David,  have  mercy  on  me."....Mark  x.  48, 
Why  was  this?  Truly  he  had  a  feeling-  sense  of  his  loss  of  sight, 
and  by  faith  he  saw  Jesus  able  to  restore  it :  see  the  consequence  of 
this  importonate  cry.  Did  the  sun  stand  still  at  the  word  of  Joshua  ? 
Behold,  at  the  cry  of  Bartimeus,  the  Lord  and  Creator  of  all  the 
host  of  heaven,  stood  still,  Jesus  knows  the  cry  of  his  own  Spirit; 
he  will  hear  it,  and  help  the  soul  who  utters  it :  "  His  cars  are  open 
to  our  prayers."....!  Pet.  iii.  12.  Look,  1st.  At  David's  circum- 
stances :  was  he  now  on  the  mount  of  joy,  basking  in  the  sun, 
beams  of  comfort  ?  No  ;  he  is  si^hin?^  out  a  doleful  comphiiiit  in 
the  vale  of  distress  :  says  he,  "  I  mourn  because  of  the  voice  of 
the  enemy  and  the  oppressions  of  the  wicked  ;  my  heart  is  sore 
pained  within  me,  and  the  terrors  of  death  are  fallen  upon  me  ; 
fearfulness  and  trembling  are  come  upon  me,  and  horror  hath 
overwhelmed  me. "....Psalm  Iv.  3,  Sec.  2d,  Vv'hat  is  his  resolution? 
Does  he  give  up  hope  in  his  God  ?  Does  he  flee  his  presence  and 
seek  for  comfort  in  the  world,  from  its  vain  pleasure,  sensual  de- 
lights, and  from  the  men  of  it  ?  No  ;  but  says  he,  "  I  will  call  upon 
God."  Here  is  a  lesson  of  instruction  for  us  :  the  more  fears, 
terrors,  pains,  and  oppressions  beset  us,  they  should  excite  more 
calls  upon  God  from  us  :  seek  to  no  object  to  be  eased  from  them, 
but  God  :  remember,  not  one  of  them  but  is  by  his  appointment 
or  permission  ;  they  are  calls  from  God  to  call  upon  him  :  when 
they  bring  us  to  God,  his  loving  wmII  is  answei'ed  ;  he  will  not 
suffer  his  dear  people  to  live  at  a  distance  from  him  without  calling 
upon  him  ;  he  loves  their  souls  ;  he  delights  in  their  prayers  ;  and 
the  "  Lord's  comforts  delight  their  souls."„.,PsaIm  xciv,  19,  Can 
you  say  so  ?  Then,  3d.  You  may  confidently  take  up  David's  con* 
elusion  ;  "  The  Lord  shall  save  me."  Is  not  this  too  bold  ?  Yes, 
If  founded  upon  any  thing  in  yourself  as  the  cause  why  God  should 
save  you,  it  is  daring  presumption  ;  but,  from  the  Lord's  absolute 
declarations,  full  and  free  promises  given  us  in  Christ,  we  are  di- 
vinely warranted  thus  to  conclude.  O,  then  take  and  prize  the 
Lord's  word  as  your  blessed  charter  of  salvation  ;  plead  it  before 
him;  expect  all  salvation  from  him,  even  victory  overall  sin,  de- 
liverance from  every  trouble,  the  comfort  of  holiness  here,  and  the 
joys  of  glory  in  eternity  :  "  All  are  yours,  and  yc  arc  Christ's  aod 
Christ  is  God's."..,.!  Cor.  iii.  23. 

}-Iow  bold  is  f.iith,  to  challenge  thus      O,  'tis  because  the  Lord  claims  ns, 
A  claim  upon  the  Lord;  His  portion,  in  his  word.  M. 


JUNE  S.  157 

To  them  who  have  obtained  like  precious  faith  with  lis 
through  (in)  Hie  righteousness  of  God,  and  (even)  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.... 2 Pet.  i.  1. 

There  may  be  strong  failh  where  there  is  no  true  faith:  per- 
sons may  pretend  to  have  the  assurance  of  faith,  may  believe  that 
their  sins  are  forgiven,  without  one  grain  of  precious  failh.  Who 
believes  more  than  a  deist  does  ?  he  believes  he  has  wisdom  to  guide 
and  power  to  save  himself,  without  cither  the  word  or  the  grace  of 
God.  Who  has  stronger  faith  than  the  self-righteous  Pharisee  had  I 
He  believed  he  had  a  right  to  go  to  God,  to  plead  his  works  before 
God,  and  to  assure  his  heart  that  he  was  accepted  of  God  :  lie 
wanted  no  righteousness  from  God.  This  is  just  such  a  faith,  which 
all  unregcnerate  men  have.  It  is  not  a  prkcious  faith;  it  is  not 
obtained  through  the  precious  righteousness  of  Christ ;  it  doth  not 
make  his  glorious  person  and  everlasting  righteousness  precious  to 
the  heart ;  it  does  not  cause  such  to  renounce  the  filthy  rags  of  their 
own  righteousness,  and  to  Jelight  in  God,  as  justifying  the  unholy 
through  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  sanctifying  the  ungodly 
through  the  Spirit  of  his  grace.  That  faith  is  ever  to  be  suspected, 
as  only  a  rank  weed  which  grows  in  the  corrupt  soil  of  human  nature, 
if  the  possessors  of  it  see  not  the  evil  of  sin  Avhich  is  in  them,  the 
curse  it  has  brought  upon  them,  and  that  nothing  can  relieve  their 
conscience,  support  their  mind,  bring  hope  to  their  heart  and  joy  to 
their  spirits,  but  the  one  spotless  righteousness  of  Christ,  in  which 
sinners  stand  perfectly  justified  before  God.  He  who  dares  open  his 
mouth  in  objections  against  Gods  imputing  the  righteousness  of  his 
Son  freely  to  sinners,  and  fully  justifying  the.M  thereby,  is  shrewdly 
to  be  suspected,  that  so  far  from  having  obtained  "  like  precious 
faith"  with  the  apostles,  his  heart  is  not  yet  convinced  of  sin.  Pre- 
cious faith  will  shew  itself  by  its  fruits,  inward  as  well  as  outward: 
the  heart  will  bow  to  God's  sovereign  will,  receive  his  doctrines  of 
grace,  in  the  love  of  them,  and  not  carp  and  cavil  against  them ;  it 
will  glory  that  salvation  from  first  to  last,  is  not  of  works,  but  of 
grace  ;  and  it  will  experience,  that  the  grace  of  God  which  bringetU 
salvation,  most  sweetly  and  powerfully  teaches,  to  deny  all  ungodli- 
ness and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  in 
this  present  evil  world.  Most  sweetly  says  one,  "  Surely,  there  can 
be  no  greater  honor  to  Christ  than  this,  in  the  sense  of  sin,  wants, 
stains  and  blemishes,  to  wrap  ourselves  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ, 
and  with  boldness  to  go,  clothed  in  the  garments  of  this  our  elder 
brother,  to  the  throne  of  grace."  This  is  the  glory  of  faith,  Lord 
grant  it  may  be  ourst  ** 


138  JUNE  4. 

Lord  he  merciful  unto  mc:  heal  wy  soul ;  for  I  have  sinned 
against  thee. ...Psalm  xl'i.  4. 

Is  this  the  language  of  a  saint  ?  Was  David  a  saint  when  he 
uttered  it?  Yes  he  was  a  holy  man  of  God:  this  confession  and 
prayer  shew  it:  his  heart  was  not  hardened  through  the  deceitfulness 
of  sin,  nor  blinded  by  self-righteous  pride,  so  as  to  say,  "I  have  no 
sin."  Self-righteous  hearts  cannot  away  with  this,  that  all  the 
Lord's  saints  are  yet  in  themselves  miserable  sinners  ;  that  they  see 
daily  need  to  confess  this,  and  to  sue  for  mercy  and  healing  from  the 
Lord:  here  is  a  confession,  a  plea,  and  a  prayer.  1st.  A  confes- 
sion, "  1  have  sinned  against  thee  :"  thus  we  must  come  and  confess 
to  the  Lord  to-day,  to-morrow,  and  every  day,  till  the  sun  of  life 
sets.  Sense  of  sin,  whether  fresh  contracted  or  long  since  com- 
mitted, abides  with  us  ;  it  wounds  and  pains  a  gracious  soul.  Here 
grace  discovers  itself:  that  soul  waits  not  for  time  to  efi'ace  the 
memory  of  sin,  or  strives  to  stifle  convictions  for  it,  but  goes  hum- 
bly to  the  Lord,  and  confesses  it,  with  all  its  aggravations,  and 
with  this  above  all  others.  Lord,  "  against  thee  I  have  sinned." 
O,  may  my  soul  never,  never  lose  this  conviction,  that  every  sin  is 
against  thee,  my  Lord  and  loving  Father  ;  thee,  my  Lord  and  pre- 
cious Redeemer;  thee,  my  Lord  and  gracious  comforter:  this 
makes  sin  exceeding  sinful,  while  it  magnifies  the  super-abound- 
ing riches  of  grace,  in  receiving  sinnerS;  and  in  pardoning  sin. 
2d.  Consider  the  plea:  it  is  not  the  pharisee's  parade  ;  Lord,  I  have 
done  this  and  that,  or  I  have  not  done  so  and  so:  Lord,  I  have  been 
faithful  to  thy  grace,  I  am  not  so  bad  as  others :  No  !  but  it  is  the 
publican's  plea  ;  "Lord  be  merciful  to  me,"  to  me  a  vile  sinner,  who 
have  done  nothing  to  deserve  thy  favor,  yet  plead  thy  mercy  pro- 
mised to  sinners  in  Christ  Jesus :  thou  canst  be  just,  and  yet  justify 
the  ungodly  who  believe  in  Jesivs.  Therefore,  Sd.  I  pray,  "heal 
my  soul."  No  prayers,  no  tears,  no  duties,  no  terms  and  condi- 
tions of  mine  can  heal  my  soul ;  no,  my  best  works  are  stained  with 
pollution,  my  holiest  duties  are  mixed  with  sin  :  nothing  but  the 
blood  of  THE  Lamb  can  bring  pardon  to  my  heart,  peace  to  my 
conscience,  and  healing  to  my  soul.  "  The  Lord  will  speak  peace 
unto  his  people  and  his  saints.".. ..Psalm  Ixxxv.  8.  Tor,  C)  precious 
wordsl  he  assures  us,  "all  manner  of  sin  and  blasphemy  shall 
be  forgiven  unto  men.".. ..Matt.  xii.  3L 

Though  sin  doth  so  distress,  my  soul,  No  plea  have  I,  thou  Lamb  of  God, 
With  sickness  and  with  pain  :  For  mercy,  but  through  thee  ; 

My  God  will  heal  and  make  me  whole,  Cleansing  and  healing  by  thy  blood. 
And  give  me  peace  agJMi.  To  sinners  come  most  free.       M. 


JUNE  5.  159 

Light  is  soitnfor  the  righteous,  and  gladness  for  the  up- 
right in  heart. ...Psalm  xcvii.  1 1. 

Hk  who  never  doubts  his  sincerity  to  God  has  great  reason  to 
suspect  his  knowledge  of  himself:  an  hypocrite  cannot  be  a  chris- 
tian;  yet  there  is  hypocrisy  in  the  fallen  nature  of  every  christian: 
such  are  ever  suspecting  themselves.  At  times  they  fear,  lest  they 
should  turn  out  nothing  but  hypocrites  at  last:  this  is  a  proof  that 
their  hearts  are  upright  with  Christ:  their  fears  and  suspicions  arc 
a  blessed  means  of  keeping  them  from  falling  away  from  him. 
Righteous  souls  pass  through  many  dark  frames  and  disagreeable 
experiences :  sometimes  they  are  put  to  a  stand,  ready  to  question 
if  all  is  right  within  or  not ;  for  they  are  the  subjects  of  a  nature  in 
which  dwells  every  evil,  which  wars  against  God,  the  peace,  holiness 
and  comfort  of  their  souls:  hence  they  are  sometimes  in  seasons  of 
darkness;  they  sec  not  things  in  the  light  of  truth;  they  enjoy  not 
the  comfort  of  this  truth;  that  they  are  "  righteous  in  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ,".. .,2  Cor.  V.  21. ...and  made  upright  by  his  grace. 
Upright  souls  mourn  in  darkness  and  desire  ever  to  walk  in  the  light: 
yes,  says  St.  Peter,  ye  "  greatly  rejoice  in  the  salvation  of  Jesus, 
though  now  for  a  season  (if  need  be)  ye  are  in  heaviness  through 
manifold  temptations."  If  need  be  !  O,  what  need  can  there  be? 
He  tells  us,  that  the  trial  of  your  precious  faith  might  be  found  unto 
praise,  and  honor,  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ....  1  Pet. 
i.  6,  7.  Tried  faith  is  true  faith.  Touch  any  metal  but  gold,  and 
acjua  fortis  will  burn  it  off.  True  faith  stands  the  fire  of  temptations  ; 
.trusts  Christ  in  heaviness;  stays  upon  him  in  darkness;  for  at  all 
times,  in  all  seasons,  under  all  circumstances,  light  and  gladness 
are  sown  for  you,  and  in  due  season  shall  spring  up  in  you.  Where 
are  they  sown?  Where  every  covenant  blessing  is  reaped;  in  Jesus 
the  surety  of  the  covenant....Heb.  vii.  22.  All  natural  light  is  in, 
and  flows  from  the  sun :  all  spiritual  light  flows  from  Christ,  the  sun 
of  righteousness,  who  saith,  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world :  he 
that  followeth  me  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life.".. ..John  viii.  12.  Is  light  sown  in  Christ  for  us?  Let 
us  with  David  claim  in  faith,  "  the  Lord  is  my  light,  and  my  salva- 
tion."....Psalm  xxvii.  1 .  Does  gladness  of  heart  spring  from  Christ  ? 
Then  say,  "my  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet,  I  will  be  glad  in 
the  Lord. "....Psalm  civ.  34.  Thus  faith  is  tried  and  proved  in  the 
darkest  hour:  thus  it  manifests  itself  to  be  the  faith  of  God's  elect ; 
for  it  cleaves  to  God's  elect,  (Jesus)  in  whom  God's  soul  dclighteth.... 
Isa.  xlii.  1. 

Both  light  and  gladness  inGod's  word,  And  shall  springupwithirithosehearts, 
For  righteous  souls  are  sown,  Who  huve  the  Saviour  known.    M. 


160  JUKE  6. 

There  is  a  way  zvhich  seemeth  right  unto  a  man,  but  the 
end  thereof^  are  the  xeays  of  death..., Prov.  xiv.  12. 

This  is  a  melancholy  truth,  "all  flesh  has  corrupted  his  way 
tipon  the  earth. "....Gen.  vi.  12.  From  sad  experience  of  this,  Jere- 
miah confesses,  "O  Lord,  I  know  that  the  way  of  man  is  not  in 
himself:  it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps."... .Jer. 
X.  23.  "  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone  astray  :  we  have  turned  every- 
one his  own  way,"  says  Isa.  liii.  6.  O,  it  is  a  most  blessed  thing; 
to  be  convinced  of  this,  and  humbly  pray  with  David,  "  see  if  there 
be  any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting." 
....Psalm  cxxxix.  24.  We  can  never  enough  call  to  mind,  love 
and  praise  our  good  shepherd,  who  came  to  seek  and  save  us 
from  our  own  way,  which  seemeth  right  in  our  eyes.  What  way 
is  this?  A  most  dangerous  one:  it  is  the  way  of  wickedness,  in 
which  we  have  strong  confidence  of  our  own  righteousness.  Every 
man  is  naturally  in  this  way.  The  most  openly  prophane  as  well  as 
the  decent  pharisee,  possesses  some  hope  in  himself  that  he  has 
done,  or  can  do  something  to  save  himself,  and  that  his  way  is  right 
and  shall  end  well  at  the  last.  The  worst  of  men  must  think  at 
times.  If  destitute  of  all  hope,  black  despair  must  ensue.  A 
false  hope,  built  upon  self-righteousness,  keeps  up  their  spirits. 
How  long  ?  Till  they  go  down  to  hell  with  a  lie  in  their  right  hand  : 
or  till  the  Spirit  of  God  convinces  them  of  sin,  shews  them  their 
condemnation  for  sin,  and  that  they  are  destitute  of  righteous- 
ness ;  that  nothing  short  of  an  absolute,  perfect  one,  can  justify 
them  before  God  ;  and  that  this  is  only  to  be  found  in  the  Son  of 
God.  Now,  every  way  leads  to  some  end  :  the  way  that  seems  right 
in  a  man's  own  eyes  will  end  in  death ;  in  the  death  of  hope,  and 
destruction  of  the  souk  The  man  who  is  in  this  way  that  seemeth 
right  unto  hin»,  is  ever  exalting  his  own  righteousness  and  decrying 
the  imputed  righteousness  of  Christ.  Stop,  O  soul,  and  consider, 
what  way  art  thou  in?  That  which  seems  right  in  thy  own  sight,  or 
tliat  which  God  declares  is  right  in  his  ?  Remember,  the  way  of  a 
self-righteous  foul  is  right  in  his  own  eyes  :  but  he  that  hearkeneth 
vuuo  counstl  is  v.ise."....Prov.  xii.  15.  Jesus  is  our  counsellor: 
hearken  to  him:  he  says,  "I  am  the  way.".. ..John  xiv.  6.  The 
only  way,  exclusive  of  every  other  way,  of  pardon  from  God,  peace 
and  acceptance  with  God,  justification  before  God,  and  enjoyment 
of  God:  this  is  the  good  old  way;  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find 
rest  for  your  souls....Jer.  vi.  1 6. 

O  Christ,  who  art  the  only  way  There's  many  ways  that  lead  to  death, 

Unto  eternal  life,  Which  foolish  men  pursue, 

Preserve  and  keep  my  soul  each  day,  Lord,  keep  me  in  the  way  of  faith. 

From  unbelieving  strife.  The  only  way  and  true.             M» 


JUNE  7.  161 

But  that  on  the  good  ground,  arc  they,  zchich  in  an  honest 
arid  good  heart,  having  heard  the  ivord  keep  it,  and  bring 
forth  fruit  ivith  patience....  Luke  viii.  15. 

Disciple,  tread  warily  on  this  good  ground  :  speak  cautiously 
about  it,  lest  thy  soul  be  lifted  up,  and  thou  shouldest  say,  I  made 
myself  to  differ;  my  nature  is  better  to  receive  the  seed,  and  my 
heart  more  honest  and  good  to  retain  it,  than  others.  Know  thyself 
by  nature  upon  a  level  with  way-side,  stony-ground,  and  thorny 
hearers.  See  what  is  predicted  of  these  blessed  hearers.  Examine, 
if  we  are  of  the  happy  number:  if  so,  let  us  fall  down  in  humility 
and  cry,  what  hath  God  wrought !  Let  us  give  all  the  glory  to  the 
God  of  all  grace  I  1st.  "That  on  good  ground."  It  is  made  good 
by  the  labour  of  the  husbandman:  tilled,  cultivated,  and  made  fit  to 
receive  the  seed,  by  the  grace  of  the  Spirit,  in  an  honest  and  good 
heart.  No  man  has  such  a  heart  naturally:  the  heart  is  deceitful 
above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked  ;  see  the  cursed  weeds  it 
brings  forth  :  "Out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  murders, 
adulteries,"  &c....Mark  vii.  2  1.  Such  an  old,  wicked  heart  as  this, 
can  neither  receive  nor  retain  the  seed  of  the  kingdom,  so  as  to 
bring  forth  fruit  unto  perfection.  New  wine  of  gospel  grace  and 
love  must  be  put  into  new  bottles:  therefore,  saith  the  Lord,  "  a 
new  heart  will  I  give  you."....Ezek.  xxxvi.  26.  Precious  promise  ! 
This  is  that  good  and  honest  heart.  Hath  the  Lord  given  it  thee? 
If  so,  2d.  you  Mill  hear  the  word  and  keep  it.  It  takes  root  down- 
ward. Thou  hast  and  dost  retain  an  abiding  sense  of  thy  own  vile- 
ness,  poverty  and  wretchedness:  thou  wilt  be  rooted  and  grounded 
in  the  love  of  Christ,  knowing  that  in  him  thou  art  rich,  righteous, 
and  happy.  As  the  word  made  thee  thus  wise  and  happy,  thou 
wilt  keep  it,  ponder  it  in  thine  heart,  meditate  upon  it  day  and  night: 
it  will  be  dear  and  precious  to  thy  soul.  This  is  an  evidence  of  a 
good  and  honest  heart:  it  delights  in  the  good  news  of  the  Mord  of 
grace,  the  faithful  promises  of  a  covenant  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  3d. 
Such  bring  forth  fruit  with  patience;  because  they  keep  the  word 
in  their  hearts,  they  go  on  patient  in  well-doing,  and  patient  in  suf- 
fering the  will  of  God.  Says  David,  "  thy  word  have  I  hid  in  my 
heart."  To  what  end?  "  That  I  might  not  sin  against  thee.".... 
Psalm  cxix.  11.  Says  Paul,  "the  word  of  the  truth  of  the  gospel 
bringeth  forth  fruit  in  you,  since  the  day  ye  heard  of  it,  and  knew 
the  grace  of  God  in  truth.". ...Col.  i.  5,  6.  That  soul  in  whose  heart 
the  word  of  grace  takes  the  deepest  root,  brings  forth  most  fruit  to 
God.  O  soul,  wouldst  thou  be  more  holy  and  more  happy?  Keep 
the  word  of  God:  study  it:  that  directs  thee  to  Christ,  in  whom 
all  thy  happiness  centers,  and  from  whom  all  thy  holiness  springs. 
Vol.  IT.  W 


I6i  JUNE   8. 

{■w/o  him  Ihal  loved  us,  andicashed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
own  blood. ...Rt'v.  i.  5. 

"Paul  denounces  the  most  dicadful  curse  upon  every  one  who 
loves  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."....  I  Cor.  xvi.  22.  Why  does  any 
binner  love  Christ  ?  Because  he  belieTcs  the  love  of  Christ  to  sin- 
ners. See  the  awful  curses  of  unbelief:  it  rejects  the  love  of  Christ ; 
it  sets  at  nought  his  salvation  ;  it  seals  the  sinner  under  the  curse  of 
his  sins,  the  wrath  diie  to  his  sins;  and  binds  him  over  to  eternal 
damnation  for  his  sins.  But  the  unawakened  sinner  smiles  at  all 
this ;  for  he  does  not  believe  one  word  of  it.  Lord,  leave  r,ot  my 
soul  under  this  sin  of  sins,  of  all  sins  the  most  heinous  and  cursed: 

0  help  my  unbelief!  1st.  See  the  preciousness  of  faith:  it  works 
by  love,  even  by  the  love  of  Christ  manifested  to  us;  it  receives  and 
takes  home  his  love  to  the  heart  ;  there  it  works  peace  in  the  con- 
science, delight  in  God,  access  to  God,  boldness  before  God,  joy 
in  God,  fellowship  with  God,  conformity  to  God,  and  longinjj  for 
eternal  enjoyment  of  God.  For,  2d.  Our  sins,  which  are  the  cause 
of  separation  and  distance  from  God,  and  shyness  of  God,  are 
washed  away.  JIow  ?  By  Christ's  own  blood.  O,  wonderful  to 
think!  O,  joyfid  to  believe!  The  holy  Son  of  God  has  washed  us.... 
us  unholy,  us  ungodly,  us  hell-deserving  sinners,  from  our  sins  in 
bis  own  blood:  he  hath  done  it:  this  precious,  this  mighty  work 
is  forever  finished:  Christ  hath  once  appeared,  for  ever  to  put  away 
our  sins  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself.. ..lleb.  ix.  26.  What  says 
his  Father  of  him?  "  In  my  beloved  Son,  I  am  well  pleased.".... 
Matt.  iii.  \7.     What  saith  he  of  us?  "Your  sins  and  iniquities  will 

1  lenieniber  no  more."....Heb.  x.  17.  What  say  you?  Is  all  this 
true  ?  Is  all  this  a  fact,  or  a  fable  ?  Upon  our  belief  of  tliis  depends 
our  comfort  and  holiness:  and  from  the  faith  of  this  springs  glory 
to  Ciod  in  the  highest.  For,  3d.  If  we  firmly  believe  this,  we  shall 
joyfully  join  the  redeemed  in  earth  and  heaven,  in  giving  praise  and 
glory  to  Christ  for  washing  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood.  But 
you  say,  I  have  sin  in  me,  I  mourn  over  it,  and  groan  under  it  : 
that,  is  sense  :  this  sei>se  is  needful  to  keep  you  humble  before 
Christ :  yet  faith  is  above  sense  ;  it  glorifies  Christ  for  washing 
away  fmm  before  Ciod's  sight  the  very  sins  you  feel.  You  have 
the  sense  of  fear  that  you  shall  be  damned  for  your  sins:  that  is  a 
holy  fear :  that  keeps  you  from  sinning.  But,  iaith  says,  "  there 
is  no  condemnation  to  me,  I  am  in  Christ  Jesus.",...Rom.  viii.  1. 
My  sins  arc  all  washed  away :  I  am  perfectly  cleansed  from  them 
all ;  and  my  Lord  says,  "  thou  art  all  fair  my  love,  there  is  no  spot 
in  thee.".. .. Song  iv.  7. 

Before  we  siiui'd  Christ  loved  us,  Believe  bis  love  displayed  thus. 

And  when  we  fell  his  blood  he  spilt,    To  wabh  and  clcun*c  us  from  all  guilt- 


JUNE  9.  163 

And  hath  made  its  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his 
Fatlier....Rev.  i.  6. 

Christ  has  done  a  great  work  for  us  :  but  docs  he  only  call  us 
to  believe  it,  and  then  leave  us  just  as  we  woe,  under  the  dominion 
of  sin,  satan  and  the  world?  No  ;  he  not  only  washes  us  from  o\ir 
sins  which  he  hates  in  his  blood,  but  he  also  tlignifies  our  person 
which  he  loves  by  his  power. 

Hail  Jesus,  lavish  of  strange  gifts  to  man! 

Thine  all  the  glory;  man's  the  boiindlcbS  bliss. 
O  miracle  of  grace!  Christ  hath  made  us  kings  and  priests.  1st. 
Kings  to  rule  over  sin,  the  world,  death  and  hell.  Sin  brought 
death  into  the  world:  death  reigned  over  all  that  sinned;  "  but  they 
who  receive  abundance  of  grace  and  of  the  gift  of  righteousness,  shall 
reign  in  life,  by  onk  Jesus  Christ.". ...Rom.  v.  17.  O  believer,  do 
not  you  too  oft  forget  your  regal  dignity  ?  Then  you  do  not  honor 
your  King  of  kings.  Consider,  you  are  made  a  king  to  reign  in 
LIFE  :  a  spiritual  life  over  all  that  is  earthly,  sensual  and  devilish. 
Do  you  say,  how  can  I  reign  over  sin  who  am  the  subject  of  sin? 
But  you  are  not  a  subject  to  sin;  "  sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over 
yon,  because  you  are  not  under  the  law  but  under  grace.".... Rom» 
vi.  14.  ,  An  earthly  monarch  may  have  many  treacherous  and  rebel- 
lious subjects  who  envy  him  and  would  dethrone  him ;  still  in  spite 
of  all  he  may  keep  his  throne:  so  do  you  over  all  rebel  lusts  and 
Iraiterous  dispositions;  for,  Christ  is  king  ever  you:  you  reign  by 
his  power :  you  are  a  king  unto  Cod :  you  reign  to  his  glory.  2d^ 
PiUF.ST.  The  priest  under  the  law,  offered  gifts  and  sacrifices 
according  to  the  law:  under  the  gospel  we  are,  "a  holy  priesthood, 
to  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices,  acceptable  to  (>od  by  Jesus  Christ.".... 
1  Pet..ii.  5.  Even  those  of  a  broken  heart  and  contrite  spirit,  our 
bodies  and  souls,  time  and  talents,  prayers  and  praises,  yea  to  sacri- 
fice our  lusts,  our  sinful  selves,  our  love  of  the  world,  our  free-wiU 
pride,  all  our  carnal  reason  and  self-righteousness,  all  and  everjT 
thing  which  is  contrary  to  our  Lord's  will  and  glury:  for  as  Christ 
our  high  priest  has  offered  up  himself  to  God  for  us,  so  we  are  to 
ofler  up  ourselves  to  God  by  him.  O  believer,  study  more  and  rnore 
your  regal  dignity  and  royal  priesthood.  Will  an  earthly  monarch 
so  degrade  and  demean  hiuiself  as  to  be  the  eompunion,  and  gratify 
the  humors  of  traitors  and  rebels  ?  Will  any  christian  priest  sacrifice 
to  heathen  idols?  O,  when  lusts  present  and  satan  tempts,  consider, 
Christ  hath  made  me  a  king  to  reign  over  them.  W^hen  worldly- 
vanities  allure,  remember,  Christ  hath  made  me  a  priest  to  sacrifice 
them  to  his  honor  and  glory. 


164  JUNE    10. 

Therein  is  the  righteousness  of  God  revealed  from  faith  to 
faith.     The  just  shall  live  by  J  aith... .Rom.  \.  17. 

It  is  but  lost  labour  that  poor  sinners  rise  up  early,  late  take 
rest,  and  eat  the  bread  of  carefulness  in  order  to  make  themselves 
righteous.  The  Lord  makes  his  beloved  people  righteous  in  a 
quite  different  way.  Righteousness  is  already  perfectly  wrought 
out  to  the  honoring  and  magnifying  God's  law:  it  is  fully  brought 
into  the  court  of  heaven,  to  the  satisfying  God's  justice  :  it  is 
clearly  revealed  in  the  gospel,  for  the  hope  and  encouragement  of 
poor  sinners.  Observe,  1st.  By  way  of  eminence  it  is  styled  "the 
righteousness  of  God:"  not  as  it  is  essential  to  his  divine  nature; 
for  what  comfort,  what  hope  can  a  poor  sinner  take  from  that  ?  The 
more  plainly  that  is  revealed,  the  more  clearly  that  is  known,  so 
much  the  more  miserable  must  it  make  the  poor  unrighteous  sinner  ; 
but  it  is  the  righteousness  with  which  God  is  well  pleased,  and  for 
the  sake  of  which  he  can  be  just  while  he  justifies  the  ungodly  sin- 
ner: it  is  the  righteousness  which  the  Son  of  God  wrought  out  in 
our  nature,  to  clothe  and  adorn  and  make  us  poor,  naked  sinners 
righteous  and  comely  in  God's  sight.  2d.  This  righteousness  is 
revealed  in  the  gospel :  blessed  gospel !  It  brings  glad  tidings  of  an 
infinitely  perfect,  and  everlastingly  glorious  righteousness.  Soul, 
where  art  thou  looking  for  righteousness?  In  thyself?  Poring  over 
thyself,  thy  frames,  and  thy  works  to  find  righteousness?  As  well 
expect  to  find  a  saint  in  hell  or  a  devil  in  heaven  as  to  find  righteous- 
ness in  thyself.  Search  the  gospel;  there  thou  wilt  find  it  revealed: 
the  gospel  is  God's  testimony  of  Jesus:  he  is  the  only  righteous 
man  that  has  ever  been  upon  earth  since  sin  entered  into  the  world  : 
"  His  name  is  the  Lord  our  righteousness. "....Jer.  xxiii.  6.  5d. 
It  is  revealed  from  faith  to  faith;  from  the  doctrine  of  faitlj  in  the 
word,  to  the  grace  of  faith  in  the  heart:  it  runs  through  every  page 
of  the  sacred  word  down  from  the  patriarchs,  prophets,  and  Old 
Testament  saints  to  New  Testament  believers,  to  Gentile  sinners  in 
every  age.  This  divine  and  glorious  righteousness  is  unto  all,  and 
upon  all  that  believe.... Rom.  iii.  22.  Equally  alike,  whether  faith 
be  weak  or  strong.  For,  4th.  The  just  shall  live  by  faith  :  this  is 
quite  different  from  living  by  working;  for  the  law  is  never  satisfied 
with  our  doings  because  we  can  never  fulfil  it;  therefore  we  can 
never  enjoy  peace  of  mind,  but  condemnation  of  conscience  :  but 
by  faith  we  live  from  day  to  day  upon  Jesus  our  law-fulfilling  head. 
Hence  we  have  peace  of  conscience,  love  of  heart,  joy  of  spirit, 
and  holiness  of  life.  O  what  a  sweet  life  is  this!  None  know  the 
glory  of  it  but  the  faithful:  it  is  living  above  nature,  out  of  self, 
and  beyond  sin.     One  step  more  and  we  shall  be  with  Christ  in  glory. 


JUNE   11.  165 

Hear  now,  O  Joshua  the  high  priest,  thou,  and  Ihijfcllozcs 
that  sit  before  thee :  fur  they  are  men  uondered  af :  for 
behold,  I  will  bring  forth  my  servant  the  Brujich,... 
Zech.  iii.  8. 

Say,  christian  soldier,  did  the  captain  of  thy  salvation  ever 
deceive  thee?  Did  he  not  tell  thee,  before  thou  listed  under  his  ban- 
ner, who  were  his  enemies  and  what  treatment  thou  wast  to  expect 
from  them?  His  word  speaks  full  and  express  on  this  point:  almost 
every  page  furnishes  accounts  how  the  men  of  this  world  look  upon 
tht  children  of  God.  Here  is  Joshua  the  high-priest,  with  the  i.to- 
phets  and  people  of  God,  wondered  at.  Jehovah  himself  takes 
notice  of  it  and  acquaints  them  with  it.  Sweet  to  observe,  there 
cannot  be  a  disdainful  frown,  a  contemptuous  sneer,  nor  a  reproachful 
word  cast  upon  God's  people,  but  he  notices  all.  But  why  are  we 
so  much  to  be  wondered  at  ?  Why  truly  we  are  a  set  of  visionaries  ; 
we  see  invisible  objects,  walk  by  faith,  and  have  our  conversation  in 
heaven;  but  carnal  men  cannot  sec  any  of  these  things.  How  then 
can  they  wonder  at  us  for  this?  Here  lies  the  mystery  ;  they  see 
plain  enough  that  you  cannot  live  as  they  do,  and  enjoy  yourself  in 
their  ways,  (woe  be  to  that  christian  who  does)  and  therefore  they 
wonder  what  is  come  lo  you  and  what  you  would  be  at.  Soul,  was 
you  never  wondered  at?  If  not,  you  have  a  right  to  question 
whether  you  have  been  faithful  to  your  Lord,  who  is  styled  wondeh- 
FUL....Isa.  ix.  6.  And  he  says,  "Behold  I,  and  the  children  whom 
the  Lord  hath  given  me,  are  for  signs  and  wonders  in  Israel. "....Isa. 
viii.  18.  Better  be  a  wonder  of  satan's  children  than  a  slave  to  their 
master;  for  while  the  wicked  wonder  at  and  despise  us,  see  the  re- 
ward God  gives  us:  here  is  a  blessed  promise  for  us  which  infinitely 
over-balances  all;  behold,  I  will  bring  forth  my  servant,  the 
branch;  "Jesus  your  Saviour  :  that  branch  of  the  Lord,  who  shall 
be  beautiful  and  glorious."....lsa. iv. 2.  That"  righteous  branch." 
,...Jcr.  xxiii.  5.  I  will  bring  forth  to  your  view  ;  so  display  his 
beauty,  glory  and  righteousness  to  the  faith  of  your  hearts,  that  you 
shall  rejoice  in  him  with  joy  that  is  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
Now,  christian,  you  have  two  things  to  wonder  at:  1st.  The  aston- 
ishing rich  grace  of  thy  God.  2d.  At  thyself.  Art  not  thou  a 
mere  lump  of  sin,  yet  a  miracle  of  mercy,  and  a  monument  of 


Dear  Lord,  my  soul  would  thee  confess  Lord,  while  I  live  and  own  thy  grace. 
Before  a  wond'ring  throng:  Give  me  to  prove  its  pow'r; 

Thou. art  my  glorious  righteousness,     Lest  I  disgrace  thy  holy  ways, 
My  love,  my  joy,  my  song.  In  an  unguarded  hour.  M. 


165  JUNE    12. 

lllicrcfore  look  ye  so  sadhj  lO'day?....Gcn.  xl.  7. 

A  svMPATiiisixG  spirit  at  all  times  becomes  christians:  they 
are  caUcd  "to  rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and  to. weep  with 
them  that  weep.".. .".Rom.  12.  15.  Joseph  could  not  observe  the  sad 
looks  of  his  fellow-prisoners  without  enquiring  the  cause:  they  said, 
"We  have  dreamed  a  dream  and  there  is  no  interpreter  for  it." 
ISlind  the  use  Joseph  makes  of  the  distress :  he  refers  them  to  the 
l^ord:  "Do  not  interpretations  belong  unto  God?"  O,  may  the 
Lord  help  us  to  make  some  improvement  of  this.  Consider,  1st. 
Christians  arc  all  follow-prisoners  in  a  body  of  sin  asd  death.  2d. 
Wc  are  all  subject  at  one  time  or  another  to  have  cause  for  sad  looks. 
Sd.  We  should  imitate  Joseph  ;  be  of  a  sympathising  spirit;  feel  for 
one  another's  distress  ;  enquire  the  cause  of  our  brethren's  sad  looks. 
4th.  As  he  did,  so  we  should  refer  to  the  Lord:  aim  as  enabled  by 
the  Lord,  to  speak  a  word  in  season,  that  if  the  Lord  please  we  may 
be  interpreters  to  them  of  God's  mind  concerning  them;  may  be  a 
means  of  unridling  the  dark  and  perj)Iexing  schemes  of  providence, 
of  unfolding  the  mysteries  of  iniquity  which  works  in  them,  and  of 
displaying  the  mysteries  ©f  godliness  to  them.  Bear  ye  one 
fir.o'ther's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ.  Consider, 
von  are  under  the  law  of  Christ:  this  is  a  law  of  love.  O,  what 
a  blessing  doth  the  Lord  make  one  christian  to  another  1  How  often 
are  we  enabled  to  solve  each  other's  difficulties,  and  macLe  a  means  of 
setting  each  other's  souls  at  liberty !  But,  5th.  Consider  Joseph  as 
a  type  of  our  dear  Savioui':  we  cannot  look  sadly,  but  his  eye  of 
compassion  is  upon  us,  his  heart  of  love  is  towards  us;  "For  we 
have  not  an  high-priest  who  cannot  be  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our 
infirmities,  Init  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are."....rieb. 
iv.  15.  To  one  disciple  in  distress  iic  saith,  "Whercfdre  didsl  thou 
doubt  ?".... Matt.  xiv.  31.  'J"o  others,  "  Why  are  ye  troubled  r  Why 
do  thoughts  arise  in  your  hearts  ?".... Luke  xxiv.  38.  To  another, 
a  sorrowful  woman,  "  Why  weepest  thou  ?".... John  xx.  15.  Think 
of  his  loving  heart  and  tender  speeches  to  sinners:  carry  your  cases 
of  conscience  to  him  and  spread  the  causes  of  your  sadness  before 
him.  He  is  a  blessed  messenger  of  peace,  a  precious  interpreter  of 
the  ways  of  God,  to  our  souls... .Job.  xxxiii.  23.  He  will  shew  us 
the  path  of  life  :  "  In  his  presence  is  fulness  of  joy,  at  his  right-hand 
there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.".... Psalm  xvi.  1 1. 

My  heart  is  pain'd,  my  face  is  sad.         My  sins  and  follies  I  confess, 
Thy  absence.  Lord,  I  mourn:  The  cause  of  all  my  woe: 

Thy  presence  doih  my  soul  make  glad:  I  plead  thy  blood  and  righteousness. 
Return,  my  Lord,  return.  Thro'  them  let  comforti  flow.     M. 


JUNE   13.  167 

Then  is  the  offtnce  of  ihc  cross  ceased... .Gal.  v.  1 1. 

Another  version  reads  the  words  as  a  question,  Is  the  offence 
of  the  cross  ceased?   No,  nor  ever  will  while  there  is  a   christian 
upon  the  earth.     The  cross  is  put  for  that  ever  loving  Jf.sus,'who 
hung  upon  it  as  a  curse  for  our  souls  and  an  atonement  for  our  sins. 
O,  let  us  be  ever  jealous  of,  zealous  for  the  glory  of  the  cross,  for 
the  sake  of  the   Lamb,  who  finished  our  salvation   upon  it.     The 
cross  of  Christ  is  the  christian's  glory  :  the  offence  th.e  world  takes 
at  him,  is' a  proof  that  he  has-taken  up  the  cross   of  Christ  and  is 
following  him.     This  no  man  can  do  faithfully,  but   he  must  give 
offence.     Settle  this  well  in  your  mind  :   sit  down   and   count  your 
cost.     Are  you  willing  to  be  Christ's  glory  and  the  world's  scorn  ? 
Do  you  expect  all  from  tlie  cross  ?  Then  give  up  all  for  the  crosj. 
Here  nature   recoils,  flesh   and  blood   rebels,  carnal   reason  pleads 
that  woyldly  prudence  may  be  attended  to  :   look  at  such  and  such  a 
professor,  they  go  on  very  quietly  ;    the  world  takes  no  offence  at 
them.     Why  is  it?  They  arc  eiiher  quite  dead  in  sin  or  fallen. into 
%  deep  sleep  of  security.     Converse  with  them  ;    you  will  tind  no 
sweet  savour  of  Jesus  upon  their  tongue,  no   warm   affections   to 
Christ  in   their  hearts,  no  burning  zeal  for  his  glory  in  their  lives  : 
Ivencc,  as  the  offence  of  the  cross  is  ceased  with  them,  so  the  peace, 
comfort  and  joy  of  it  is  departed  from  them.     For  the  truth  of  this 
I  dare  appeal  to  my  own   and  every  disciple's  heart.     When  was 
your  soul   most  active  for  Cod,  most  filled  with   his  love ;    enjoy- 
ing most  fellowship  with  hi«j,  and  peace  and  comfort  in  him  ?  Say, 
was  it  not  when  you  lived  nearest  to  the  cross,  and  found  most  of 
the  offence  of  the  cfoss  of  Christ  ?     You  must  confess  it.     Holy 
Paul  seemed  to  dread  the  offence  of  the  cross. of  Christ  ceasing. 
He  was  jealous  lest  any  should  question  it.     Lord  Jesus,  hast  thou 
done  so  much  in  thy  holy  life  and  suffered  so  much  by  thy  precious 
death  on  the  cross   for  our    soul's  ecernal  siilsation,  and  shall  we 
be  ashamed  of  thy  cross  ?   Shall  we  be  afraid  of  confessing  the  faith 
of  our  hearts  and  the  hope  of  our  souls  in  thee,  with  our  lips,  and 
in  our  lives  ?   O,  forbid  it  1   Never,  never  shall  I  foiget  my  late  dear, 
dear  friend,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jones,  with  his  usual  warmth  of  affec- 
tion to  Christ,  preaching  upon  the  scandal  of  the  cross  ;  says  he, 
•'  My  dear  friends,  you  who  are  afraid  to  los^  your  good  name  for 
Christ's  sake,  I  pity  you  from  my  heart.     Thank  God  mine  is  gone 
long  ago."     "God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save   in  the  cross  of 
Jesus  Christ. ".... Gal.  vi.  14. 

I'll  t!;!ory  in  the  cross  of  Christ,  Say  I  am  foolish,  I  am  mad; 

Tho'  men  olFandc-d  be;  If  i  Christ's  omforts  prove, 

•Tis  ihro'  his  blood  that  1  ana  blest,  It  ne'er  shall  make  my  spirit  sad, 

To  ull  eternity.  I'll  triumph  in  his  love. 


168  JUNE    14. 

The  righteous  is  taken  aivayjrom  the  eviL...Isa.  Ivii.  I. 

Why  then  do  we  not  rejoice  over  the  dead,  who  die  in  the 
Lord  ?  Why  do  we,  who  profess  to  be  in  the  Lord,  fear  to  die  ? 
Death  will  be  the  funeral  of  all  our  evils  and  the  resurrection  of  all 
our  comforts.  Why  then  do  we  at  all  dread  it?  Why  so  reluctant 
to  be  taken  from  the  many  evils  ^^'e  suffer  here?  Why  not  rather 
longing  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord  ?  Plainly,  it  is  for  want  of 
faith:  the  point  is  not  fully  settled  between  our  Saviour  and  our 
souls,  whether  we  are  his  righteous  members  or  not,  and  hence  we 
do  not  walk  closely  and  comfortably  with  him,  and  then  the  fear  of 
death  prevails  over  us.  A  believer  in  Jesus,  and  a  righteous  person, 
are  convertible  terms.  Every  believer  is  a  living  member  of  Christ, 
united  to,  and  one  with  him.  They  are  righteous  as  Christ  is,  as 
man  and  mediator :  his  very  righteousness  is  theirs  :  they  are 
clothed  with  it,  and  stand  perfectly  righteous  before  God  in  it. 
Hence  the  holy  Spirit  is  given  to  us  :  he  enables  us  to  walk  in  the 
paths  of  righteousness,  and  to  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  righteous- 
ness which  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  glory  of  God....Phil.  i.  11. 
See  the  blessedness  of  the  righteous :  they  are  "  taken  away  from 
the  evil.''  The  Lord  doth  this  for  them  because  he  loves  them. 
To  COME  is  not  in  the  original.  They  are  taken  from  all  present  evil. 
1st.  They  are  taken  from  an  evil  nature  :  this  is  the  grief  and  burden 
of  their  righteous  souls  from  day  to  day  ;  but  the  death  of  the  body 
shall  quite  destroy  the  body  of  sin  and  death  :  they  shall  drop  this 
body,  and  wing  their  way  to  endless  glory.  2d.  From  the  evil  of  sin  : 
though  this  did  not  reign  over  them,  yet  it  raged  in  them  :  though 
they  were  not  under  its  dominion,  yet  it  warred  in  their  members  and 
made  them  cry  out,  O  wretched!  Sin  brought  death  into  the  world  ; 
death  shall  be  the  grave  of  sin:  the  righteous  is  not  taken  away  in  his 
sins  but  from  the  evil  of  them.  3d.  From  that  evil  of  evils,  unbelief. 
This  now  dishonors  God,  causes  weak  hands  and  dejected  hearts;  but 
in  death  we  shall  part  with  it  forever.  4th.  From  all  the  evil  of  this 
present  world:  all  pains,  trials,  afflictions,  See.  from  whatever  cause, 
we  shall  be  forever  delivered.  This  is  the  negative  blessedness  of  the 
riirhteous.  Who  shall  describe  their  positive  happiness?  It  hath  not 
entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  what  the  Lord  hath  pre- 
pared for  them  who  love  him:  this  we  must  die  fully  to  know.  O, 
love  the  Lord  all  ye  his  saints. 

My  Lord,  who  gave  me  rightcoiisne!.s.  He  soon  will  take  my  soul  by  death, 
And  makes  me  love  his  ways;  From  all  my  ills  and  strife: 

With  ev'ry  good  my  s<-ui  wiU  bless,       Hii  arms  will  then  be  nnderncath, 
Until  I  cud  my  days.  To  raise  me  unio  life.  M- 


JUNE    15.  169 

Should  such  a  man  as  I jiee?....Neh,  vi.  1 1 . 

Nehemiah  was  engaged  in  a  great  work:  his  God  was  with 
him,  and  gave  success  unto  him:  friends  and  enemies  unite  against 
him:  by  base  insinuation,  craft  and  stratagem,  they  strove  to  dis- 
hearten and  deter  him  from  going  on  with  God's  work.  Opposition 
is  the  christian's  lot;  courage  his  honor;  perseverance  his  jewel. 
Look  at  this  man  of  God  :  he  boldly  repels  all  fear.  Instead  of 
fleeing  from  his  work  as  advised,  he  flees  to  his  God,  and  cries,  "O 
God,  strengthen  my  hands."  Faith  inspires  prayer  :  prayer  brings 
courage  to  the  heart  :  then  he  boldly  demands.  Should  such 
A  MAN  AS  I  FLEE  ?  A  man  so  greatly  favored,  so  highly  honored, 
as  to  be  employed  by  God  to  work  for  him  ?  No  ;  I  disdain  such 
mean  cowardice:  I  will  work  on:  it  is  God's  cause  :  let  God  see  to 
the  event;  I  fear  it  not. 

Christian,  know  your  calling  :  it  is  to  work  for  God:  expect  op- 
position from  within  and  without.  This  may  call  up  fear  and  dis. 
may  ;  but  consider  your  dignity  ;  maintain  and  assert  it :  "  Should 
such  a  man  as  I  flee  ?"  A  man  called  by  the  grace  of  Jesus  to  resist 
the  devil,  to  face  carnal  men,  to  vanquish  sin,  to  overcome  the 
world,  to  victory  over  death,  and  to  receive  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness in  endless  glory:  shall  I  flee  ?  What,  I  who  am  called  to  be 
strong  in  the  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  ?  O,  my  soul,  put 
on  Christ  and  put  off  fear:  put  up  prayer  and  put  down  dread. 
From  whom  should  such  a  man  as  I  flee  ?  Of  whom  should  I  be 
afraid  ?  Doth  not  my  Lord  say,  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee,  my 
strength  is  made  perfect  in  thy  weakness  ?  O  Lord,  strengthen  my 
heart  to  resist  satan,  that  he  may  flee  from  me,  and  to  overcome 
the  fear  of  man,  which  is  a  snare  to  mc.  I  bless  thee  for  thy  prtcious 
word  :  strengthen  my  heart  in  the  faith  of  it :  "  Fear  not,  neither  be 
faint-hearted,  for  the  two  tails  of  these  smoking  fire-brands.".. ..Isa. 
vii.  4.  Hearken  unto  me  ;  fear  not  the  reproach  of  men,  neither  be 
afraid  of  their  revilings....Isa.  li.  7.  I,  even  I  am  he  who  comfort- 
eth  you.  Who  art  thou,  that  thou  shouldst  be  afraid  of  a  man  that 
shall  die,  and  the  son  of  man  which  shall  be  made  as  grass,  and 
forgettest  the  Lord  thy  maker  ?  "  The  Lord  God  will  help  me  :  I 
shall  not  be  confounded :  have  I  set  my  face  like  a  flint  ?  I  shall 
not  be  ashamed  :  the  moth  shall  eat  up  my  adversai'ies."....Isa.  1.  7. 

Courage  my  friends,  Christ's  strength  is  our's, 

Though  of  ourselves  we've  none  : 
Why  should  we  dread  our  hostile  p^wVs? 

They're  conquer'd  ev'ry  one. 
Look  up  and  see  our  Saviour  stand, 

Pleading  your  cause  and  mine 
Before  the  throne,  at  God's  right  hand  ; 

Courage,  our  aid's  divine. 

Vol.  JL  X 


170  JUNE    16. 

We  are  not  of  litem  who  draw  back  unto  perdilion;  but  of 
them  that  believe  unto  the  saving  of  the  soul. ...Jleb.x.  39. 
There  is  somewhat  implied  in  this  text,  which  is  not  expres- 
btd :  it  Mas  not  out  of  the  apostle's  thoughts  :  it  ought  never  to  be  out 
of  ours.  Wljy  do  we  not  draw  back  unto  perdition  ?  Is  it  because  of 
our  own  might,  power  and  faithfulness  ?  No  ;  ''  but  because  \vc  arc 
KEPT  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation."....!  Pet. 
i.  .5.  Why  do  any  draw  back  unto  perdition  ?  Because  they  do  not 
believe  tlie  word  of  God  ;  do  not  live  upon  the  poAver  of  God  :  their 
hearts  are  not  renewed  by  the  grace  of  God  ;  and  they  do  not  choose 
for  their  portion,  in  time  and  eternity,  the  Son  of  God.  But  they 
must  have  made  some  progress  in  the  way  of  salvation,  else  how  can 
they  draw  bacli  unto  perdition  ?  Many  go  great  lengths  in  profes- 
sion and  expression  :  they  are  like  a  new  moon  that  shines  bright 
at  the  beginning,  but  does  not  last  all  night :  they  seem  to  begin 
well,  to  run  fast,  and  to  bid  fair,  with  Christ  in  their  hearts  and 
heaven  in  their  vieAV  :  they  talk  of  the  views  of  faith  and  the  joys 
of  faith :  but  alasl  time  discovers  that  their  hearts  were  not  vitally 
united  to  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher  of  faith  ;  therefore  they  ob- 
tain not  the  victory  of  faith.  An  unconquered  world  prevails  against 
them,  unsubdued  lusts  get  the  dominion  over  them  ;  and  satan 
makes  a  complete  conquest  of  them  :  the  lamp  of  profession  goes 
out  and  they  draw  back  to  perdition.  Awful  state  !  How  much  to 
be  dreaded:  How  earnestly  to  be  deprecated!  O  consider,  soul, 
there  is  perdition  in  the  least  drawing  back.  Though  you  may  be 
kept  so  as  not  finally  to  perish,  yet  you  will  awfully  suffer  loss,  if 
you  lose  the  presence  of  Christ,  the  comforts  of  love,  and  the  joys 
of  faith.  .  O,  this  is  dreadful  loss  I  Remember,  JesuS  is  a  living 
Saviour  :  the  soul  is  to  be  saved  from  all  evil  and  sin,  from  day  to  day  :' 
faith  is  a  living  grace  in  the  heart  ;  by  it  come  to  Christ  continually, 
believe  his  love,  his  power,  his  willingness  to  save  you  to  the  very 
uttermost,  from  the  power  of  sin,  the  corruption  of  I'lature,  the  love 
of  the  world,  the  snares  of  hell,  into  all  the  happiness  and  glory 
of  heaven.  O,  may  the  thought  of  a  possibility  of  drawing  back 
froiu  Christ  quicken  us  to  watch  and  pray  to  him  to  be  kept.  Study 
what  are  the  best  means  of  strengthening  your  faith;  use  them. 
What  things  are  contrary  thereto,  avoid.  It  is  by  believing  we 
hold  on  ami  hold  out ;  for  that  brings  the  grace  and  strength  of 
Christ  into  the  soul. 

Siill  let  our  souls  be  passing  on,  God  keeps  us  by  his  mighty  pow'r 

Nor  ever  think  of  drawing  back  :  Thro'  faith  eternal  joys  to  see: 

llede»m'dand  aav'dby  God'^  dear  Son,  Tho'  hard  beset,  in  some  sad  hour 
Suj)plies  of  gruce  we  ne'er  shall  lock.  He'll  5>et  our  souls  at  liberty.  M. 


JUNE   17.  171 

For  the  Lord  xvill  not  cast  of  for  ever....! Aim.  iii.  SI. 

"Thk\-  there   is   no  clanger  of  perishing.     Let  us  live   as  we 
list :  walk  after  the  imagination  of  our  hearts  ;   and  fulfil  the  desires 
of  the   flesh   and  of  the   mind."     Is  this  the   natural  language   of 
such  a  faith  ?   This  the  genuine  inducnce  of  such  a  hope  ?   This  the 
conduct  resulting  from   the  knowledge  of  God's  everlasting  love  ? 
Yes,  say  some,  if  we  could  belie\c  such  doctrine,  we  should  so  acr. 
Such   sadlj  betray   their  ignorance  of  th*e  sanctifying  influence  of 
divine   truth  upon  the  heart  and  life.     This  day  shalt  thou  be  with 
me   in   paradise,    says  our   Saviour    to   the   expiring  thief... .Luke 
xxiii.  43.     Could  he  hence  find   it  in  his  heart   to  say,  then  will  I 
blaspheme  thee  again  as  I  did  just  now?  C)  no:   the  grace  of  Ciod 
•which  brings  salvation   to  our  souls,  teaches  otherwise;    the  good- 
ness of  God,  which  keeps  us  from   hell  and  preserves   us    safe  to 
glory,  leadeth   us  to   repentance  ;    and   faith  in   the   covenant-love 
and  gracious  promises  of  the  Lord,  encourages  us  to  hope  for  par- 
don from  him,  because  he  will  not  cast  ofl"  for  ever.     This  was  the 
glorious  confession  of  the  faithful,  when  under  the  severe,  chastis- 
ing rod  of  God:   then  is  the  season  to  call  to  mind  the  Lord's  e\-yr- 
lasting  love  and  covenant  faithfulness.     He  loves  as  a  father,   there- 
fore he  corrects  us  as  children:   he  hates  our  sins  at  the  same  time 
that  he  loves  our  persons.     If  he  makes  us  smart,  it  is  to  make  us 
confess  and  pray:   if  he  puts  us  into  the  furnace  of  afllirlions,  it  i» 
that  we   may  glorify  the   Lord  in  the   fires.... Isa.  xxiv.  15.     This 
cannot  be  done  by  unbelief,  saying,  the  love   of  my  covenant  God 
and  Father   is   changed   into   the  hatred  of  a   vindiciive,   wrathful 
enemy  ;   he  has  cast  me  ofl'  from  being  his  son  and  will  eternally 
punish  me  in  hell:   such  doctrine  never  brought  a  soul  back  to  God 
Avith  genuine  humility  and  godly  sorrow.     No  ;   it  is  faith  Im  God's 
unchangeable  love  and  covenant   faithfulness  in  Christ   Jesus   tliat 
glorifies  him,  brings  the  poor   sinner  to   him,  humbles   the   heart 
before   him,  and   causes  the  soul   to  cry  out  with  tears  of  dcep.st 
gratitude,  wretch   that  I  am,  by  any   base   conduct  lo  oflend  that 
loving  Lord,  who  hates  putting  away  and  will  not  cast  off  for  cverl 
Lord  Jesus,  grant  that  the  belief  of  this  truth  may  bind  me  closer 
than  ever  to  thyself:   we   can   assure  our  hearts    of  this  precious 
truth.       1st.    "Because   we   are   the  children   of  God  by   faith  in 
Christ. "....Gal.  iii.  26.     2d.  "  If  children,   then   heirs  of  God  and 
joint  heirs  with  Christ.".... Rom.  viii.  17.     And,  Sd.  "  We  are  kept 
by  the  power   of  God,  through  faith  unto  salvation."....!  Pet.  i.  5» 

Who  have  such  glorious  csui";e  to  sing,  Not  loved  now.  cast  off  anon, 
And  triumph  all  their  days,  This  is  »v>t  precious  f.iith  : 

As  children  of  the  heav'iily  king,  God  ever  loves  us  in  his  Son, 

Sav'd  hy  his  sov'ieign  grace  >  We  joy  in  whi.t  kj  saith.  M^ 


172  JUNE   IS. 

And  killed  the  prince  of  life.... Acts  iii.  15. 

O  DREADFUL  cffccts  of  the  fall  of  man!  We  are  not  only 
become  enemies  to  God  and  rebels  against  him,  but  are  also  so  igno- 
rant of  ourselves  and  so  blind  to  our  own  state,  that  we  do  not  see 
this  :  we  will  not  own  it.  An  enemy  to  God  !  What,  to  that  good 
and  gracious  Lord,  in  whom  I  live,  move,  and  have  my  being  ?  I 
cannot  think  that  any  one  upon  earth  can  be  so  wicked  as  to  be  an 
enemy  to  God:  such  is  the  language  of  blind  nature:  thou  that 
utterest  it  art  the  man.  Yea,  such  is  the  enmity  of  thine,  of  every 
man's  nature  against  God,  that  were  it  possible  and  in  our  power, 
we  should  kill  God.  Start  not  at  the  thought !  horrid  as  it  is,  here 
is  proof  of  it.  God  was  manifest  in  flesh.  How  was  he  received  ? 
How  was  he  treated  by  sinful  man?  Let  the  annals  of  his  holy  life 
speak  the  base  contempt  and  hellish  treatment  he  met  with  from 
man  :  let  the  history  of  his  painful  and  agonizing  death  proclaim 
the  enmity  of  sinner's  hearts  against  him.  They  killed.. .. who  ? 
JesuB  of  Nazareth,  a  mere  man,  mighty  in  word  and  deed?  a  great 
prophet  only  ?  Infinitely  more,  O  unparallelled  mystery  of  iniquity ! 
O  inscrutable  mystery  of  godliness!  They  killed  the  princf.  or 
LIFE.  Such  the  abominable  wickedness  of  human  nature,  such  the 
total  blindness  of  the  human  heart,  a  murderer  is  preferred  to  an 
innocent  man  ;  a  vile  miscreant  is  spared,  the  holy  God,  the  author 
of  life  is  put  to  death.  Here,  O  soul,  behold  the  true  but  horrid 
picture  of  human  nature  :  such  its  enmity  to  God,  as  to  take  away 
the  life  of  God.  Dost  thou  think  in  thine  heart,  surely  my  nature 
is  not  so  dreadfully  wicked,  I  could  not  have  done  so  vile  a  deed  ? 
Thou  dost  not  yet  know  thyself;  thy  thoughts  proceed  from  blind- 
ness and  ignorance  of  the  depth  of  thy  totally  wicked  nature  :  as 
yet  thou  seest  not  the  amazing  heights  of  the  Lord's  love.  The 
prince  of  life  dies  by  the  wicked  hands  of  men  of  wicked  hearts. 
To  what  end  ?  That  by  his  death  his  very  murderers  should  lire 
and  not  die  eternally.  O  matchless  love  !  Learn,  O  my  soul,  this 
night,  to  fathom  the  depth  of  the  wicked  enmity  of  the  human 
heart,  by  the  heights  of  the  love  of  a  dying  God.  Sin  has  done  its 
worst,  slain  my  God,  that  I  might  live  ;  satan,  thou  hast  wrecked 
thy  hellish  wrath  :  but  thou  art  conquered  in  my  Saviour's  death. 
I-.a'y,  thou  hast  sheathed  thy  strongest  sting  and  spent  the  poison 
of  thy  dart  in  the  body  of  my  God:  but  glory  to  my  prince  of  life, 
he  lives  to  love,  and  loves  to  save  :  I  am  safe.  O,  may  the  Spirit 
raaiic  this  faith  kill  legal  hopes  and  self-righteous  confidence. 

Amazing,  vvnnc^'rnus  mystery,  [kill;     But  God  did  suffer  this  to  be  ; 

That  men  the  prince  of  life  should       To  save  our  sonls  from  death  and  hell. 


JUNE    19.  173 

As  ye  have  therefore  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so 
walk  ye  in  him. ...Col.  ii.  6. 

It  is  to  the  glory  of  the  grace  of  the  holy,  blessed  and  glorious 
trinity,  that  any  poor  sinner  receives  Christ :   and  Christ  is  the  gloiy 
of  that  heart  which  receives  him :  thus  there  is  a  mutual  complacency 
and  delight  between  Jehovah,  Father,  Son  and  Spirit,  and  believing 
souls.     Every  one  who  believes  in  Christ  Jesus,  has  received  Christ 
as   his   Lord,  his  atonement,    his   righteousness,  his  salvation,  as 
verily  as  Paul  or  any  of  his  apostles,  God  is  alike  the  Father  of  all 
such;  the  Son  is  alike  the  Saviour  of  all  such,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
is  alike  the  sanctificr  and  comforter  of  all  such.     O,  well  may  tlie 
believing  heart  cry  out  in  a  rapture  of  joy,  Lord  what  rich  grace  is 
thisl   What  glorious  privilege  am  I  invested  with  I   What  hast  thou 
wrought  1   What  am  I !   Why  should  Jesus  apprehend  me,  worthless 
me,  that  I  should  apprehend  himl   Lord,  what  wouldst  thou  have 
me  to  do?   Hear  and  obey  :   walk  yk  in  him.     What  is  meant  by 
this?  In  one  word,'  seeing  Christ  is  yours,  enjoy  him  more  and  more  : 
how  ?   How  did  you  receive  him  ?   As  a  perishing  sinner  by  faith  : 
th.'n  so  walk  in  him  :  walking  implies  the  whole  of  a  believer's  life: 
that  his  soul  sliould  be  in  constant  motion  ;  that  the  eye  of  his  faith 
should  be  ever  looking  to,  and  his  heart  dependent  on,  Christ  Jesus 
the  Lord  :   so  he  walks  comfortably,  holily,  steadily,  and  persever- 
ingly  to  the  glory  of  his  Saviour.     But  shall  we  meet  with  no  inter- 
ruptions in  thus  walking  in  Christ  who  is  the  wav  ?  Not  from 
him,  for   he  is  a  most  smooth,  xlelightful  and  pleasant  way:  only 
keep  in  him  Jind  you  are  sure  of  safety  and  comfort ;  but,  from  within 
and   from   without,  you  will  meet  with  a  crowd  of  objections  and 
interruptions  in  your  walk  :  the  pride  and  the  lusts  of  the  (Icsh  will 
oppose  you  ;  satan  will  jostle  against  and  strive  to  impede  your  steps  ; 
the  world  will  attempt  to  seduce  you  :  be  simple  of  heart,  know 
every  step  that  you  are  as  poor  a  sinner  as  when  you  first  received 
Christ:   make  him  the  one  object  of  your  heart:   when  you  are  ready 
to  halt  at  the  sight  of  your  wickedness,  poverty  and  vileness,  consi- 
der him,  look  to  him,  cry  to  him  ;  so  shall  you  renew  your  strength: 
"  you  shall  run  and  not  be  weary,  walk  and  not  faint."....Isa.  xU  31. 
You  are  just  at  your  journey's  end ;  you  have  the  shades  of  death  to 
pass  through.     What  of  that  ?  "  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me.".... 
Psalm  xxiii.  4. 

Now  we  walk  in  Christ  by  faith,  Christ  is  a  most  pleasant  way, 

Everhearing  what  he  saith  Let  us  from  him  never  stray  : 

In  his  word,  unto  our  heart :  In  him  we  have  all  things  good, 

He  from  us  will  not  depart.  Brought  us  thro'  his  precious  blood.  M. 


174  JUNE   20. 

Tli}j  maker  is  thine  husband ;  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  his  name, 
and  tinj  redeemer  the  holy  one  of  Israel:  the  God  of  the 
zchole  earth  shall  he  be  called.... Isa.  iiv.  5. 

In  this  one  verst  is  a  trinity  of  comforts  :  all  are  enjoyed  in  the 
unity  of  faith  :   tlie   Spirit  benrs   witness  of  them  :   let   our   hearts 
attend  to  them.     Consider,   1st.  Thou  sin-distressed,  law-accursed, 
satan-accused  soul,  thy   maker  is    thine  husband.      Glorious 
gospel :   faith  listen,  love  awake,  hope  rejoice.     In  the  Hebrew,  thy 
Maker's  thy  husband  :  Father,  Son  and  Spirit.     The  triune  God  Avho 
made  thee,  is  married  to  thee,  and  in  covenant  with  thee.     How  is 
this  relation  eiTected  ?   God  the  Son  comes  into  our  nature  :   takes 
upon  him  our  flesh  :  we  are  peculiarly  espoused  to  Christ.     1st.  By 
his  ministers:   says  Paul,  "I  have  espoused  you  to  Christ.".. ..2  Cor. 
xi..2.     2d.  Experimentally  by  faith.     ^Ve  know  nothing  of  the  lov- 
ing, eternal  designs  of  Christ  to  our  souls,  till  by  the  grace  of  his 
Spirit  we  are  brought  to  him,  receive  him,  and  give  him  our  hearts 
as  our  own  bridegroom  :  then  we  feel  the  blessings,  and  enjoy  the 
comfort  of  marriage  union  :   we  live  in  love  ;   walk  by  faith  ;   rejoice 
in  hope.     O  Christ,  make  us  and  keep  us  chaste  virgins  to  thee  !   3d. 
Christ  is  our  Rkdekmzr  :   why  husband  before  Redeemer  ?  I  hum- 
bly conceive,  to  remind  us  of  his  eternal  love  to  us  :   of  his  eternally 
espousing  our  cause,  and  his  purpose  before  time  of  marrying  our 
persons.     There  he  took  our  nature,  that   in  our  nature  he  might 
redeem  us  to  God  his  Father  :   he  has  effectually  done  it  by  his  pre- 
cious blood  :  being  redeemed  by  him  and  married  to  him,  the  Father 
owns  the  relation,  glories  over  us  in  him,  and  the  Spirit  sanctifies 
and  comforts  us  in  him.     Therefore,  4th.   As  an  affectionate  bride 
glories  in  the  person,  and  rejoices  in  the  titles  of  her  husband,  so, 
O  soul,  do  thou  in  thy  heavenly  bridegroom.    1st.  He  is  thy  Maker  : 
he  who  was  almighty  to  create,  is  almighty  to  preserve.     2d.  He  is 
THE  Lord  of  hosts  :  what  can  all  the  powers  of  earth  and  hell  do 
against   him?   3d.   He  is   thr  God   of  the  whole  earth:  the 
Lord  God  omnipotent  is  thy  Jesus  ;   ever  glory  in  him,  as  equal  to 
the  Father,  as  touching  his  godhead  :   fools  deny  this  :  the  wise  unto 
salvation   believe,  adore,  and  glory   in  Christ   as  such  ;   who  only 
hath  immortality  to  bestow  upon  poor  siimers,  "to  whom  be  honor 
and  power  everlasting,  Amen. "....1  Tim.  vi.  16.     Ever  remember, 
we  are  married  to  Christ  that  wc  should  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God.... 
Rom.  vii.  4. 

Wedded  to  the  Lord;  what,  vile  mc'    AH  othcrlovers  I'd  forsake, 
O  woiid'rous  grace  I  O  matchless  love!  My  Lord,  tli>  love  has  won  my  heart: 
Lord,  ever  k»e[)  me  chaste  to  tlice,       For  tho'  I'm  poor,  wretched  and  weak, 
That  I  may  all  ihy  goodtiCis  prove.        Christ  i:.  my  ail,  in  liiin  I've  purt.    M. 


JUNE  21.  17A 

Drop  dozen  ye  heavens  from  above,  and  let  the  skies  pour 
down  righteousness:  let  the  earth  open,  and  let  them 
bring  forth  salvation,  and  let  righteousness  spring  up 
together:  I  the  Lord  have  created  it....Isa.  xlv.  8. 
Some  speak  very  profanely  against  the  councils  and  decrees  of 
God:  this  proceeds  from  carnal  reason  and  ignorance  of  divine 
truths:  "There  is  a  God  in  heaven  who  rereah  secrets. "....Dan. 
ii.  28.  The  scriptures  are  a  revelation  of  the  mind  and  will,  coun- 
cil, decrees,  and  corenant  purposes  of  the  Lord :  they  contain  things 
new  and  old;  the  new  covenant  grace  in  Christ  Jesus,  as  well  as 
the  old  covenant  of  works  with  our  first  parent.  Hence  it  is  the 
delight  of  God's  children  to  search  the  records  of  their  heavenly 
Father :  to  believe  them  in  their  hearts,  is  a  certain  evidence  of 
their  being  his  new-born  sons  and  adopted  children  in  Christ.  Here 
is  a  precious  portion  for  thee  to  feed  upon  to-night.  Sensible  that 
thou  hast  lost  thy  original  righteousness,  in  which  thou  wast  creat- 
ed, behold,  O  soul,  from  whence  it  is  restored.  Not  from  the 
earth  :  it  comes  from  above  :  by  the  decrees  of  the  Lord,  the 
heavens  and  the  skies  pour  it  down  :  the  Lord  spake,  and  it  is 
done:  he  commands,  and  it  is  brought  forth.  When  righteous- 
ness had  forsaken  the  earth,  lo,  the  Lord  our  righteousness 
came  down  from  heaven  to  fulfil  all  righteousness  for  us,  and  to 
bestow  an  everlasting  righteousness  upon  us  :  he  came  down  to  us 
as  rain,  as  the  former  and  the  latter  rain  unto  the  earth.... Hos.  vi.  3. 
Let  the  earth  open.  The  Lord  from  heaven  was  made  of  a 
woman:  formed  in  the  lowest  parts  of  the  earth.  Let  them 
BRING  FORTH  SALVATION.  What  them  ?  Heaven  and  earth  united : 
God  and  man  in  one  Christ.  This  is  the  way  in  which  righteous- 
ness comes  to  unrighteous  sinners;  so  salvation  comes  to  perishing 
sinners;  both  spiung  up  together  in  the  God-man  Jesus.  I  the 
Lord  have  created  it.  See,  O  sinner,  and  be  humble:  thou 
hast  no  hand  in  this  matter.  Canst  thou  create  or  give  being  to  any 
thing  ?  Pride  avaunt.  No :  creation  is  the  Lord's  work  only : 
Jesus  is  the  author  of  righteousness,  he  the  alone  finisher  of  sal- 
vation. Rejoice  in  this  new  and  glorious  creation  of  righteousness 
and  salvation.  Faith  receives  it  :  hope  cleaves  to  it :  peace  is 
obtained  by  it :  joy  springs  from  it :  love  is  excited  to  the  righteous 
Saviour,  while  the  poor  sinner  is  kept  in  his  right  place^  at  Jesu's 
feet.  Now,  if  this  heavenly  blessing  has  been  rained  down  upon 
thy  soul,  it  will  be  alive  to  God,  spring  up  in  his  service,  and  bring 
forth  fruit  to  his  glory.  What  1  If  righteousness  is  poured  upon 
the©  from  heaven,  wilt  thou,  continue  dead  in  sin  r  No  :  you  will 
approve  the  things  which  are  excellent,  and  pray  to  be  filled  with 
the  fruits  of  righteousness  which  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  glory 
of  God....Phil.  i.  U. 


176  JUNK  22. 

The  secret  of  I  he  Lord  is  with  lhe?n  that  fear  him,  and  he 
ivill  shew  them  his  covenant.... Psalm  xxv.  14. 

Who  would  trust  the  secrets  of  his  heart  with  an  avowed  ene- 
my? David  could  reveal  all  that  was  in  him  to  Jonathan.  Why  ? 
Because  he  was  his  loving,  faithful  friend :  he  could  trust  his  very 
life  in  his  hands.  There  was  a  secret  between  them  two,  which  no 
one  else  was  privy  to  :  when  Jonathan  shot  the  arrows  as  a  signal 
to  David,  even  the  lad  that  gathered  them  up,  "  knew  not  any 
thing,  only  Jonathan  and  David  knew  the  matter."....!  Sam.  xx.  39. 
Some  professors  are  like  this  lad  :  the  Lord  will  not  triist  them 
with  his  secret ;  they  would  abuse  it.  It  is  common  to  hear  such 
LADS  in  religion  say,  well,  if  I  was  sure  that  God  loved  me  with 
an  everlasting  love,  had  chosen  me  from  eternity,  and^would  keep 
me  by  his  power,  through  faith  unto  salvation,  what  need  I  care 
how  I  live  ?  Do  not  such  discover  that  they  are  strangers  to  the  love 
and  fear  of  the  friends  of  God,  and  that  as  yet  the  Lord  hath  not 
shewed  them  his  covenant  ?  Out  of  their  own  mouths  they  judge 
themselves  not  worthy  to  be  trusted  with  the  Lord's  secret.  But  the 
great  purpose  of  the  Lord's  electing  grace,  everlasting  love,  and 
preserving  power,  is  with  them  who  fear  the  Lord:  they  cannot,  they 
will  not  sin  because  grace  abotinds  :  fear  prevents  :  love  restrains. 
The  Lord  who  put  this  covenant  grace  into  their  hearts,  keeps  it 
alive  there  :  how  ?  He  will  shew  them  his  covenant:  he  will 
manifest  more  and  more  the  glorious  grace  of  it  in  Christ;  how  it 
is  established  upon  God's  precious  promises,  confirmed  by  his 
solemn  oath,  ratified  by  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  and  all  the 
blessings  and  comforts  of  it  sure  and  certain  to  all  the  believing 
seed  of  Christ.  O,  this  keeps  a  holy,  loving,  jealous  fear  in  exer- 
cise. Do  not  yon  find  it  so  ?  This  is  the  natural  efi'ects  of  it,  for 
this  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  thereby  he  at  once  comforts 
our  heart  and  sanctifies  us  unto  God.  While  we  love  him  as  our 
Father,  we  fear  him  as  his  chiUh-en  :  the  secret  of  his  love  makes 
liim  dear  to  our  souls:  the  grace  of  his  covenant  strengthens  our 
confidence  in  him,  keeps  up  fear  of  sinning  against  him.  The  holy, 
precious  nature  of  covenant  grace,  everlasting  love,  divine  faithful- 
ness, are  all  secured  to  the  seed  of  Christ.  Meditate  upon  it ;  give 
efpial  glory  to  the  trinity  for  it :  for,  thus  saith  Jehovah,  "  My  cove- 
nant will  I  not  break,  nor  alter  the  thing  that  is  gone  out  of  my 
lips."....rsylm  Ixxxix.  34. 

Gill  proves  our  souls  1>t  love  (liviiie>  But  such  as  would  thy  grace  abuse. 

Thro'  everlasting  cov'naiu  grace  :  And  sin  because  grace  does  abound, 

Ai.d  thus  we  shew  that  we  are  thine,  And  dare  aflVont  thee  to  thv  ftice, 

We  walk  in  fear  betore  thy  lace.  Thy  secret  Lord,  have  never  found.  M- 


JUNE  23.  ijf 

Lacked  ye  any  thins?    And  they  said  nothing.... Liike 
xxii.  35. 

Precious  words  to  me :  one  is  unwilling  to  apeak  of  one's  self; 
there  is  danger  of  pride  and  self-seeking  in  it:   yet  with  a  view  to 
our  Lord's  glory,  a  sincere  desire  to  exalt  his  grace  and  goodness, 
and  to  encourage  fellow-christians'  confidence  therein,  a  poor  sinner 
may  speak  of  his  experience.     With  tears  of  thankfulness,  I  record 
the   goodness  of  my  Lord  to   the  chief  of  sinners.     L'pwards  of 
twenty  years  ago,  when  it  pleased  him  to  call  me  by  his  grace  and 
make  me  happy  in  his  love,  my  name  was  cast  out  as  evil  ;  friends 
became  foes ;  their  hands  were  against  me  ;   they  withdrew  their 
favors  from  me,  and  derided  me.     Under  narrow   circumstances; 
tender  feelings  for  a  large  family  ;  carnal  reasonings  of  my   cor- 
rupt nature ;  and  strong  temptations  from  the  enemy,  I  was  often 
sore  distressed  ;  but  my  Lord  was  gracious:  many  and  many  a  time 
did  he  bring  this  text  to  my  mind  ;  and,  as  it  were,  with  all  love 
and  tenderness,  asked  me,  lackedst   thou  any   thing?   I  was  con- 
strained with  gratitude  to  reply,  nothing  Lord.     Christ  is  a  most 
precious  master  to  serve  !   I  have  proved  it.     O,  trust  the  Lord,  ve 
his  saints;  for  they  who  trust  him  lack  nothing.     So  these  disciples 
found  it,  though  sent  out  in  want  of  every  thing.     The  hearts  of  all 
men  are  in  the  Lord's  hands :   he  will  open  them  to  administer  to 
the  wants  of  his  people.     O,  for  stronger  faith  in  him,  greater  love 
to  him,  and  more  ardent  desires  to  please  him.     We  have  here  a 
reproof  against  all  that  care  and  anxiety  about  the  things  of  this  life 
which  so  sadly  distress  our  minds.     What  shall  we  say  to  the  spirit 
and  conduct  of  many  professors  ?  They  have  all  the  same  anxious 
cares  and  solicitous  concerns  about  the  world,  which  the  men  of  it 
have:  but  Christ  charges  us,  "  Take  no  thought  for  your  life,  nei- 
ther be  ye  of  doubtful  mind,"  Sec. ...Luke  xii.  22,  29.     Do  they  act  as 
if  they  ever  heard,  or  gave  the  least  credit  to  Christ  ?  O,  say  they, 
we  must  do  our  duty  and  provide  for  our  families.     God  forbid  any 
christian  should  neglect  this.     But  must  we  therefore  act   like  those 
who  know  not  God  ?   Plainly,  such  will  be  rich:   they  are  anxious 
to  get  a  fortune  :  they  want  to  be  independent.     Of  whom?  Of  God. 
Start  not !  This  spirit  works  in  us  all;  over  some  it  prevails  :  they 
do  not  like  to  live  so  dependent  on  God,  as  every  day  to  come  to  him 
with,  "  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread."     O,  there  is  more  atheism 
and  infidelity  in  the  pursuits  of  such,  than  they  are  aware  of.     Hovr 
many  have  forsaken  Christ  for  the  love  of  the  world !  "  They  who 
WILL  be  rich  fall  into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown 
men  in  destruction  and  perdition....!  Tim.  vi.  9»     "The  Lord  is  my 
PORTION,  saith  my  soul."....Lam.  iii.  24. 
Vol.  n.  Y 


T78  JUNE  24. 

/br  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil:  which  zvhite 
some  coveted  after ^  they  have  erred  from  the  faith  and 
pierced  themselves  through  zvith  many  sorrows. ...\  Tim. 
vi.  10. 
How  hard  to  persuade  a  man,  that  there  is  any  evil  in  that 
which  he  loves  ?  Evil  in  money  !  What  evil  can  there  be  in  that 
which  will  purchase  all  things?  Truly  we  may  say  of  money,  as  one 
said  of  a  pack  of  cards.  Being  asked  what  harm  there  is  in  them, 
replied  none  at  all ;  they  are  very  innocent  things,  if  you  will  not 
meddle  with  them.  So  is  money.  But  there  is  a  curse  in  the 
LOVE  of  it.  There  is  the  root  of  all  evil.  What  mighty  ills  have 
not  been  done  by  this?  Why,  the  love  of  money  will  dethrone  God 
in  the  heart,  and  make  a  man  an  idolater  :  "  Covetousness  is  idola- 
try."....Col.  iii.  5.  Can  there  in  all  the  world  be  a  greater  evil  than 
this?  Is  not  this  the  root  of  all  evil?  Do  not  all  evils  spring  from 
hence.  Love  of  money  was  the  same  in  the  apostle's  days  as  it  is 
now:  some  then,  as  well  as  now,  coveted  after  it.  Some!  Who? 
Men  who  knew  nothing  about  the  gospel,  or  faith  ?  Not  so :  for 
"  they  erred  from  the  faith  ;"  so  that  it  is  plain,  they  either  had,  or 
professed  to  have  had  the  faith.  How  did  they  err?  1st.  They 
mistook  the  nature  of  faith  :  that  brings  God  and  Christ,  and  heaven 
into  the  soul,  and  creates  perfect  happiness  there.  Money  or  no 
money,  such  a  soul  says,  the  Lord  is  my  portion:  and,  with  Paul, 
"I  am  full.".. ..Phil.  iv.  18.  But  some  have  only  an  empty  portion 
which  they  mistake  for  faith ;  this  brings  not  spiritual  enjoyment  int© 
the  heart;  hence  they  seek  it  in  money.  2d.  They  erred,  or  went 
out  of  the  way  of  faith:  faith  sees  every  enjoyment  as  the  gift 
of  God,  is  satisfied  with  it  and  thankful  for  it:  but  where  there 
is  a  greedy,  insatiable  desire  after  money,  if  such  persons  really 
have  faith,  they  will  go  out  of  the  way  of  faith  to  obtain  it,  they 
will  rack  their  very  brains,  distress  their  poor  hearts,  and  wear 
out  their  bodies  iu  pursuit  after  riches.  And  what  is  the  con- 
sequence after  all  this  erring  from  the  faith?  Wretched  gain  of 
riches  I  They  pierce  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows:  sor- 
rows to  get  riches,  sorrows  to  keep  them,  sorrows  how  to  dispose 
of  them,  sorrows  to  think  they  must  leave  them :  but,  sorrow  above 
all  sorrows,  a  good  God  fwrsaken,  precious  Christ  despised,  a  glo- 
rious gospel  rejected,  an  immortal  soul  neglected,  for  the  love  of 
money.  O,  my  dear  Lord,  let  me  see  and  enjoy  thee  as  my  best 
gain,  my  truest  riches.  May  my  heart  cleave  to  thee  in  stedfast 
faith,  abide  in  thee  by  sincere  love,  walk  with  thee  in  precious  com- 
munion, die  in  thee  with  sweet  tranquility,  and  reign  with  thee  ia 
eternal  glory. 

What  harm  in  money  can  there  be  ?      Lord,  it  allures  the  heart  from  thee. 
Then  why  not  covet  more }  And  binds  it  to  our  store.         M. 


JUNE  25.  179 

Having  food  and  raimejitj  let  us  be  ihereioith  content.... 
1  Tim.  vi.  8. 

Man  wants  but  little;  that  little  not  long  :  but  unbelief  multi- 
plies our  wants   and  magnifies   our  discontent.     God   rains  down 
manna:   the  people  are  delighted  with  it;  but  are  not  content  to 
trust  God  for  the  morrow's  supply  :  they  gathered  more  than  would 
serve  for  oRe  day  :  what  was  the  consequence  ?  "  It  bred  worms  and 
stank. "....Exod.  xvi.  20.     Here  distrust  and  unbelief  prevailed,  and 
abundance  begot  discontent.     O  ye  rich  and  great,  is   it  not  so 
with  you  ?  And  thou,  O  my  soul,  thy  pittance  is  more  than  Paul 
here  requires.     Art  thou   content  ?  No  riches,  without  Christ  and 
the  riches  of  his  grace,  can  bring  content  to  the  mind.     But  when 
Christ  vouchsafes  to  fulfil  that  precious  word. ...Rev.  ii.  17...."  I  will 
give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,"  then  we  shall  have  heart  content, 
though  we  have  no  more  coats  than  backs,  and  but  just  food  enough 
to  satisfy  our  hunger;   for  faith  supplies  all:   it  brings  the  supplier  of 
all  into  our  hearts  :  there  we  feed  upon  him  by  faith  :   the  supply  of 
our  wants  does  not  fix  content  in  the  mind :  most  of  them  are  not 
real,  but  imaginary  :   as  wants  increase  so  does  discontent : 
That  cruel  something  unpossest 
Corrodes  and  leavens  all  the  rest. 
True  content   arises  from  the  mind  being  brought  to  our  state: 
Have  we  little  or  much?  The  Lord  gave  it  :   he  sees  best  to  give  no 
more.     When  his  will  is  the  law,  the  mind  is  content.     See  Paul's 
reasons  for  content.     1st.  Look  back  to   your  birth  :    "  we  brought 
•nothing  into  the  world:"  if  we  have  nothing,  we  have  all  we  were 
born  with.     2d.  Look  forward  to  your  death  :  "  it  is  certain  we  can 
carry   nothing  out  of  it."     Think  of  your  naked  birth  and  naked 
-death:  all  we  possess  we  shall  soon  leave  behind.     Would  you  be 
rich  ?  3d.  Paul  says,  this  is  to  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and 
into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts  which  drown  men  in  destruction 
and  perdition ;  for  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil.     O,  for 
Agur's  prayer:  "  Give  me  not  riches.". ...Prov.  xxx.  8»     4th.  Whal 
is  the  greatest  gain  ?  Godliness  with  contentment :   having  Christ 
for  your  food,  and  his  righteousness  your  raiment,  this  brings  true 
content  of  mind.     One  who  had  nothing  but  bread  and  water,  cried 
out  in  an  ecstacy,  what  all  this  and  Christ  too  !   Learn  more  to  live 
by  faith  on  the  Son  of  God  :   all  God's  promises  are  yours  in  him  : 
this   one  is  enough  to  silence  murmurings   and  quell  the  risings  of 
discontent:  "I  will  never  leave  thee,   nor  forfake  thee."....Heb. 
xiii.  5. 

Then  what  avails  my  anxious  care,      If  in  God's  promises  I  share, 

For  all  things  here  below  ?  I'd  all  things  else  forego.  M, 


1«0  JUNE  26. 

Saw yc  him  ichom  my  soul  lovcth?....Song  iii.  3. 

An  abrupt  question  ;  very  odly  stated.  Had  this  enquirer  no 
name  for  her  beloved  ?  Can  she  suppose  every  one  she  asks  knew 
>vho  was  the  beloved  of  her  soul,  and  was  acquainted  with  her  loss 
of  him  ?  The  spouse  of  Christ  here  seems  to  be  in  ^reat  discompo- 
sure of  mind  ;  just  like  a  tender  mother  who  has  lost  the  beloved 
son  of  her  womb,  or  an  affectionate  wife  in  search  after  an  indulgent 
husband,  thinking  every  one  has  heard  of  her  distress,  asks  with 
the  utmost  eagerness,  have  you  seen  ifiri  ?  O  for  more  of  this  love 
of  Christ  in  our  souls  !  Observe  here,  the  actings  of  a  gracious  heart 
under  the  sense  of  Christ's  withdrawing  his  comforting  presence  : 
that  Christ,  for  wise  and  good  ends  best  known  to  himself,  doth 
withdraw  himself,  is  a  truth  that  has  been  experienced  by  all  his 
saints.  You  have  not  been  long  married  to  Christ  if  you  have  not 
taken  up  the  words  of  the  church  of  old  :  "  verily  thou  art  a  God 
that  hidest  thyself,  O  God  of  Israel  the  Saviour."....lsa.  xlv.  15. 
How  does  this  affect  you  ?  O,  say  some,  we  do  not  live  upon  our 
frames  :  your  frames !  we  are  speaking  of  living  upon  Christ  and 
enjoying  his  presence:  sweet  intercourse,  fellowship,  complacency 
and  delight  in  and  with  him  ;  if  you  are  content  to  live  from  day 
to  day  quite  easy,  careless  and  unconcerned,  without  this,  you  are 
got  into  a  very  bad  frame  indeed.  It  is  most  plain,  your  heart  is 
taken  up  with  some  other  vain  and  worthless  lovers  :  yea,  it  is  much 
to  be  doubted  whether  sueh  hearts  ever  were  in  a  right  frame  with 
Christ";  for,  to  loving  souls,  Christ's  presence  is  their  heaven  :  his 
absence  causes  a  hell  of  uneasiness  in  their  minds.  Now  here  is  a 
sure  evidence  whether  your  heart  is  towards  Christ  or  the  world  ; 
your  ftice  towards  heaven  or  hell.  But  do  you  say,  it  is  the  grief 
and  burden  of  my  soul  that  I  have  lost  the  sense  of  my  Lord's  love 
and  presence  ?  If  so,  he  has  still  left  his  love  in  thine  heart ;  he 
still  dwells  there  by  faith  :  seek  for  him  :  enquire  after  him  :  was 
he  found  of  thee  at  first,  when  thou  soughtcst  him  not  ?  He  will  not 
live  in  heaven  without  thee  :  he  will  not  let  thee  live  on  earth  with- 
out again  refreshing  thy  soul  with  the  manifestation  of  his  presence. 
Mark  this  gracious  word  to  disconsolate  seekers  :  "  Fear  not  ye,  for 
ye  seek  Jesus.".. ..Matt,  xxviii.  5.  For  mind,  though  the  spouse 
had  lost  sight  of  Christ,  her  soul  loves  him  :  still  she  says, 
"  iiiM  whom  my  soul  loveth."  Here  is  the  evidence  of  a  heart  truly 
converted  to  Christ.  In  the  darkest  seasons,  and  under  the  greatest 
distresses,  there  is  love  to  Christ  and  breathings  after  him.  "  The 
upright  love  thee. "....Song  i.  4. 

Ah,  when  of  Christ  we  have  lost  sight,  'Tis  he  creates  our  heav'n  within. 
We  should  for  him  enquire,  We  hence  his  presence  love  ; 

'Tis  like  a  dark  and  stormy  night,         He  frees  our  souls  from  guilt  and  sin. 
To  lose  our  lieart's  desire.  And  gives  us  joys  to  prove.         M, 


JUNE  27.  181 

/  riv7/  u-alli  before  the  Lord^   in  the  land  of  the  liiing.... 
Psalm  cxvi.  9. 

Whkn  the  king  confers  the  honor  of  knighthood,  he  bestows  an 
empty  title  and  nothing  more  ;  but  -n-hen  the  king  of  saints  calls  a 
poor  sinner  into  his  presence,  he  confers  on  him,  not  a  mere  title 
of  a  grand  name,  but  he  dignifies  him  with  a  nature:  he  makes  him 
a  new  creature  :  these  two  different  kinds  of  spirits  are  to  be  avoided. 
1st.  Such  as  under  a  great  shew  of  holiness  deny  the  fundamental 
doctrines  of  grace.  2d.  Those  who  make  a  vile  abuse  of  those 
doctrines :  in  the  former,  pride  reigns :  over  the  latter,  lusts  have 
the  dominion  :  David  reproves  both.  Under  the  lively  sense  of  dis- 
tinguishing mercy  and  sovereign  grace,  he  here  makes  a  holy  reso- 
lution:  "thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death,  mine  eyes  from 
tears,  and  my  feet  from  falling:"  what  then?  Now  all  is  safe  and 
well,  I  will  flee  to  the  tents  of  ungodliness,  and  gratify  my  lusts. 
•Is  this  his  language?  No,  nor  his  conduct  neither.  Many  would  be 
ashamed  to  say  so,  but  are  not  to  do  so  ;  b»it  hearts  truly  alive  to 
God,  under  the  influence  of  Christ,  are  as  dead  to  this  conduct  as 
to  the  language. 

"  I  will  walk,"  not  lie  down  to  rest  in  supine  indolence,  and  indulge 
carnal  sloth;  but  be  in  motion  and  activity  for  God  and  his  glory. 
"Before  the  Lord."  1st.  In  humility,  knowing  he  sees  how  imper- 
fect I  am  in  all  I  do.  2d.  In  peace  and  joy,  believing  I  am  accepted 
in  tlie  beloved,  my  sins  freely  pardoned,  and  my  soul  fully  justified 
in  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Lamb:  this  is  the  walk  of 
•  faith ;  so  we  enjoy  the  sense  of  peace,  the  comforts  of  love,  the 
jealousy  of  fear,  and  the  prospect  of  hope.  "In  the  land  of  the 
living:"  amotig  living  and  lively  saints:  not  with  spiritually  dead 
or  formally  alive  souls :  not  in  the  land  of  riot,  among  the  scenes 
of  vanity,  upon  the  devil's  inchanted  ground ;  but  in  the  land  of 
light,  liberty  and  love,  where  the  sun  of  righteousness  shines,  and 
"the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard.".. ..Song  ii.  12.  The  loving 
Saviour  speaking  affectionately  to  the  soul :  O  believer,  as  you  value 
the  sense  of  God's  peace,  and  the  comforts  of  his  Spirit ;  as  you 
dread  a  hell  in  your  conscience,  distress  in  your  soul,  the  hidings  of 
God's  face,  the  terrors  of  the  law,  and  the  tauntings  of  satan,  be 
careflil  of  your  walk  ;  be  watchful  over  your  conduct :  O  study  to 
keep  Christ  in  the  eye  of  your  faith  :  his  love  in  the  view  of  your 
soul :  his  heaven  in  the  prospect  of  your  hope,  and  his  glory  the  end 
of  all,  looking  and  praying  for  his  grace  to  enable  to  all  this. 

While  Christ  the  Lord  dwells  in  my     Then,  O  my  soul,  forsake  the  ways 
It  makes  me  walk  in  love:     [heart,      Of  folly,  sloth  and  sin  : 

By  faith  I  know  I  have  a  part,  Walk  now  before  thy  Saviour's  face, 

In  promis'd  joys  above.  His  grace  abounds  within.        M. 


182  JUNE   28. 

/  stf'i'  Up  j/oiw pure  minds,  by  :vay  of  remembrance.... 2 Pet, 
iii.  1. 

All  the  children  of  God  are  the  subjects  of  pure  minds  :  many 
of  them  complain  of  bad  memories :  all  need  to  have  their  mind* 
stirred  up,  and  their  memories  quickened.  There  is  no  doubt  but 
Peter  had  a  pure  mind,  when  he  denied  his  Lord ;  but  he  seems  to 
<lisplay  a  very  treacherous  memory,  in  sadly  forgetting  himselfi  his 
Lord,  and  his  words.  Forgetfulness  of  dangers  causes  one  to  fall 
into  them  :  forgetting  our  own  -weakness  to  stand,  causes  us  to  fall. 
Consider,  1st.  What  is  a  pure  mind:  that  vthich  we  are  all  destitute 
of  by  nature  :  "our  mind  and  conscience  is  defiled,  and  unbeliev- 
ing."....Tit.  i.  15.  Our  mind  is  made  pure,  when  our  hearts  arc 
■sprinkled  from  an  evil  or  guilty  conscience  by  the  blood  of  Christ 
through  faith. "....Heb.  x.  22.  So  that  a  pure  mind,  is  a  believing 
mind,  vrhich  receives'  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  in  the  power  and 
purity  of  it;  and  holds  the  mystery  of  faith  in  a  pure  conscience. 
2d.  Such  pure  minds  v/aiit  stirring  up  :  do  not  you  find  it  so  day  by 
<iay  ?  Alas  !  how  prone  are  we  to  neglect,  forget,  and  let  slip  out  of 
our  minds  the  glorious  truths  and  precious  promises  of  our  Lord  ? 
71ien  we  grow  weak  in  faith,  dejected  in  hope,  cold  in  love,  and 
negligent  in  duty  :  this  is  not  right ;  it  is  an  offence  to  our  Lord, 
and  uncomfortable  to  our  own  soitls  :  it  is  neither  a  fit  frame  to  live 
or  die  in.  When  a  fire  burns  dead,  we  stir  it,  to  promote  flame  and 
heat.  Lord  grant  that  our  souls  may  not  burn  dead,  but  flame  in 
]ove  to  thee.  3d.  "  I  stir  iip."  Could  Peter  stir  up  their  minds? 
Doubtless,  instrumentally.  Beware  of  that  cursed  notion  which 
$;enders  to  sloth,  because  you  have  not  the  power  to  do  any  spiritual 
act  effectually,  that  therefore  you  may  neglect  the  means.  Paul  calls 
on  Timothy,  "stir  up  the  gift  of  God  which  is  in  thee."... .2  Tim. 
i.  6.  He  could,  and  so  we  ought,  as  those  alive  to  God,  use  the 
means  and  look  to  God's  power  to  bless  them  :  this  is  the  genuine 
actings  of  a  lively  faith.  4th.  The  manner  of  doing  this :  "  by  way 
of  remembrance."  Refreshing  the  memory  is  stirring  up  the  mind. 
Says  Peter,  "  I  think  it  meet  as  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle  to 
do  this  :"  we  have  all  need  of  it  ;  we  ought  also  to  stir  up  our  own, 
and  one  another's  mind,  by  word  and  epistles,  of  free  grace  truths, 
e\erlasling  love,  and  precious  promises  of  God  in  Christ  to  sinners; 
of  his  finished  salvation  for  them  ;  the  eternal  glory  which  awaits 
them,  and  which  they  shall  soon  enjoy  in  his  kingdom  :  the  Lord 
help  us  thus  to  stir  up  each  other's  minds  while  in  these  tabernacles. 

Come,  christians,  stir  each  other's       We  ought  to  help  each  other's  faith. 
Lest  slothfulness  prevail,      [minds.      And  hope  and  joy  in  God  : 

O,  thinit  and  speak  of  Christ's  designs,  Attend  to  what  the  Spirit  saith. 
Whose  grace  shall  never  fail.  And  spread  Christ's  fame  abroad.  M. 


JUNE  2?.  183 

Bj/  one  ofering,  Christ  hath  perfected  for  ever  them  thai 
are  sanctified.... Heb. -a.  14. 

We  have  two  remarkable  iHstances  of  Paul's  holy  zeal  for  the 
glory  of  his  Lord.  1st.  Against  a  gross  sin  in  the  church  of  Co- 
rinth :  this  brought  a  scandal  upon  the  holy  gospel  of  Christ.  2d. 
Against  a  legal,  self-righteous  spirit  which  obtained  in  the  church  of 
Galatia  :  this  depreciated  and  dishonored  the  finished  work  of  Christ, 
and  perverted  the  faith  of  his  members.  It  is  hard  to  say,  whether 
Paul's  zeal  exceeded  most  in  the  former  or  the  latter  ,•  hence  learn, 
profaneness  and  piide  are  equally  contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  gospel : 
as  a  holy  faith  brings  Christ  and  his  salvation  into  the  heart,  it  casts 
out  the  love  of  sin,  as  well  as  self-righteous  hopes.  Here  is  a  glori- 
ous truth  for  precious  faith  to  fix  upon.  O,  that  through  the  Spirit, 
it  may  bring  joy  and  peace  to  our  souls.  Consider,  who  are  said  to 
be  "  sanctified"  here  ?  1st.  Those  who  are  separated  and  set  apart 
by  God  the  Father,  according  to  his  electing  love....Jude,  \.  2d. 
Separated,  set  apart  and  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  possess  a 
holy  faith  in  Jesus  and  a  holy  life  from  him.  3d.  In  what  sense  has 
Christ  perfected  them  for  ever?  My  dear  reader,  it  is  for  want  of 
faith  in  this  that  we  feel  so  much  distress  in  our  consciences,  so  little 
love  to  Christ  in  our  hearts,  and  enjoy  no  more  peace  with  God  in  our 
souls  :  sin  causes  all  this  :  but  Christ  has  perfected  us  for  ever  ;  that 
is,  he  hath  taken  away  all  our  sins,  fully  and  finally  from  before  God  ; 
he  has  so  perfectly  freed  us  from  all  the  charges  of  law  and  justice, 
that  there  is  now  not  one  condemnation  against  us,  no  more  than  if  we 
had  never  sinned.  3d.  How  has  Christ  done  this  I  "  By  one  offer- 
ing." O  the  love  of  Christ  in  this  offering  for  sinners  who  deserved 
it  not  1  O  the  willingness  of  Christ  in  it!  "He  gave  himself  for 
our  sins.".. ..Gal.  i.  4.  O  the  pains  and  agonies  he  endured  for  our 
salvation !  O  the  glorious  efficacy  of  his  oflering  upon  the  cross  \ 
He  made  there  (by  his  one  oblation  of  himself  once  offered)  a  full, 
perfect  and  sufficient  sacrifice,  oblation  and  satisfaction  for  our  sins  : 
thus  he  hath  once  for  all  and  for  ever  satisfied  the  justice  of  God, 
appeased  his  wrath,  and  p>erfectly  reconciled  his  holiness  to  us.  But, 
4th.  How  is  the  comfort  of  this  enjpyed  ?  By  faith.  Is  this  true  ? 
Yes,  says  Paul,  we  have  the  most  infallible  evidence  for  its  veracity, 
"  Whereof  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  witness  to  us."....Heb.  x.  15.  Then, 
as  we  value  peace  of  conscience,  hope  of  heart,  and  love  of  soul, 
we  are  bound  to  honor  the  spirit  of  truth,  by  faith  unfeigned.... 
1  Tim.  i.  5. 

For  ever  perfected  by  Christ,  Thy  off'ring  once  upon  the  cross. 

To  see  God's  holy  face:  Through  faith  doth  sanctify; 

This  cheers  with  love,  sin  to  resist,  All  else  is  but  as  dung  and  dross. 

And  run  the  heay'nly  race,  Our  souls  to  purif/^.                   M, 


184  JUNE   30. 

Bij  one  qffcrins:,  Christ  hath  perfeded  for  ever  them  that 
are  sanel}Jicd...J{eb.  x.  14. 

My  soul  is  caught ; 
Hcav'ns  sovereign  blessings  ciust'ring  from  the  cross, 
Rush  on  her,   in  a  throng,  and  close  htr  round, 
The  prisoner  of  amaze  ! 

I  beg  this  plea  to  be  admitted,  as  excuse  for  a  second  meditation  on 
this  text.  O  sinner  !  if  you  believe  in  a  crucified  Saviour,  you 
are  born  of  Cod,  know  the  love  of  God,  arc  sanctified  by  God,  and 
are  for  ever  perfected  before  God.  All  this  flovi^s  from  the  one 
offering  of  the  Son  of  God;  bore  witness  to  in  the  -word  and  in  our 
hearts  by  the  Spirit  of  God:  this,  like  every  otlier  blessed  truth  of 
Jehovah,  Father,  Son  and  Spirit's  love  and  grace,  is  to  have  its  use 
and  influence  upon  our  hearts  and  lives.  Lord,  grant  it  may.  Con- 
sider, 1st-  Hath  Christ  for  ever  perfected  you  before  God,  in  taking 
away  your  sins  and  reconciling  your  person?  O  then,  with  what 
holy  boldness  and  filial  confidence  may  you  draw  nigh  to  God !  Hea- 
ven is  open  to  you  :  God  rejoices  over  you,  and  he  will  eternally 
receive  you.  3d.  Hold  the  mystery  of  this  faith  in  a  pure  con- 
science: answer  every  demand  and  every  threatening  of  the  law  with 
this  ONK  OFFERING  :  plcad  your  perfection  by  it  to  divine  justice  : 
thus  you  vvill  honor  both  the  offering,  the  law  which  is  fulfilled  by 
it,  and  justice,  which  is  perfectly  satisfied  with  it.  3d.  Seek  no 
other^  look  not  to  any  otlier  matter  or  thing  within  or  without  you 
for  peace  with  God  and  reconciliation  to  God,  than  the  one  offering' 
of  Christ :  reject,  with  the  utmost  abhorrence,  that  proud,  popish 
notion  of  m.ore  justifications  than  one  :  win  that  glorious  one,  per- 
fected forever  by  the  one  ofiering  of  the  Son  of  Ciod ;  for  any  attempt 
towards  it  is  an  act  of  the  greatest  dishonor,  highest  unbelief,  and 
vilest  ingratitude  to  our  dear  Saviour.  4th.  As  you  are  for  ever 
perfected  before  God,  be  ever  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God. 
While  this  faith  is  kept  clear  and  lively  in  the  heart,  it  works 
BY  the  most  generous  love  of  Christ,  and  works  in  us  the  most  fer- 
vent lave  to  him  ;  and  love  is  the  very  life  of  holiness  ;  love,  and 
live  as  you  will  :  Tove,  and  go  vvhere  you  will  :  love,  and  you  will  be 
dead  to  all  that  God  forbids  and  alive  to  all  that  he  commands.  5th. 
Let  not  the  sight  of  your  own  imperfection  and  unprofitableness,  as  a 
miserable  sinner,  deject  your  mind  or  distress  your  soul,  so  as  to 
cause  you  to  let  go  the  faith,  that  Christ  hath  forever  pe  rfected  you 
before  God.  What  thou  hast  attained,  saith  Christ,  "  hold  fast  till 
I  come"....Rev..ii.  2a. 

Amazing  mystery!  O,  for  faith  We  are  for  ever  perfected, 

To  hold  it  in  my  conscience  fast !  In  Christ  our  head,  from  first  to  last,  M. 


JULY   1.  135 

/  am  not  ash amed  of  the  gospel  of  Ch rist ....Rom.\.\6. 

Says  Mr.  Bunyan,  "Of  all  the  men  that  I  met  with  in  my  pil- 
grimage, SHAME,  I  think,  bears  the  wrong  name  :  this  bold-faced 
shame  would  never  have  done ;  I  could  scarce  shake  him  out  of  my 
company;  he  would  be  continually  haunting  me  and  Avhispering  me 
in  the  ear;  indeed  this  shame  is  a  bold  \\[\vi\n." ....Pilgrim's  Pro- 
gress. Have  not  you  found  the  same?  Lord,  pardon  thy  servant^ 
that  this  shame  still  cleaves  unto  me.  Lord,  I  am  ashamed  of 
myself,  that  I  ever  should  hs.  ashamed  of  thet  and  thy  gospel* 
Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  drive  away  this  sJiame  fi-om  my  heart. 
Consider,  lst»  Its  origin.  It  is  begot  by  pride.  We  are  proud  of 
our  good  names,  fair  characters,  our  reason  and  understanding, 
among  the  men  of  the  world.  If  we  openly  profess  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  and  live  and  walk  under  the  influence  of  it,  we  cannot  do  aa 
the  rest  of  the  world  does.  Hence  we  shall  soon  get  a  nick-name.; 
be  called  a  Methotlist,  and  deemed  a  fool,  a  madman,  an  enthusiast. 
Pride  cannot  bear  this  :  it  is  ashamed  of  it*  Then,  2d.  It  works  by* 
fear.  Fear  says,  take  heed  to  yourself:  do  not  go  too  far  :  keep  you^ 
gospel  to  yourself:  you  will  surely  suffer  for  it :  you  will  lose  your 
friends,  character,  and  business  :  you  will  set  all  the  world  against 
you,  and  then,  how  will  you  live.  Hence,  3d.  You  see  that  pride 
and  fear  are  the  cursed  brats  of  atheism  and  unbelief:  they  banish 
the  Providence  of  Ood  and  the  promises  of  his  grace  out  of  our  mind^; 
Hence  it  is  plain,  that  faith,  a  living  faith  in  the  gospel  of  Christ< 
will  drive  pride,  fear  and  shame  out  of  the  heart,  with,  get  ye  to  belt 
from  whence  ye  sprang.  O,  consider  the  dishonor  it  is  to  precious 
Christ  to  be  ashamed  of  his  glorious  gospel.  Does  that  bring  to  our 
souls  the  glad  tidings  of  the  pardon  of  our  sins,  peace  with  God, 
justification  before  him,  and  eternal  enjoyment  of  him  through  the 
salvation  of  Christ?  Did  he  niake  himself  of  no  reputation  for  us? 
Did  he  endure  the  cross  and  despite  the  shame  of  hatiging  naked 
upon  it  as  a  cursed  malefactor  to  save  us?  And  shall  we  be  ashamed 
of  him?  Where  then  is  our  faith  in  him  and  love  to  him?  It  is  one 
thing  to  be  beset  with  shame  and  another  to  give  way  to  it.  A  lively 
faith  begets  warm  love.  Then  shame  durst  not  shew  his  base  head. 
Without  thee,  O  Jesus,  we  can  do  nothing.  Through  thy  strength 
we  can  do  all  things.  Lord  strengthen  our  souls  in  the  faith  and 
love  of  thee.  O  suffer  us  never,  never  to  be  ashamed  of  thee,  nnd 
of  thy  cross.  But  let  us  ever  glory  in  thee,  and  of  thee.  And, 
dear  Lord  help  us,  that  we  may  never  be  a  shaiue  to  thee  aiid  thy 
gospel,  by  an  unchristian  life,  and  unholy  walk* 
Vol.  II.  Z 


186  JULY  2. 

Wash  ftie  and  I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow. ...Psalm  11. 7, 

Here  is  majesty  in  misery:  a  king  in  penitence  :  a  monarch 
t)f  the  earth,  at  the  footstool  of  mercy.  David  as  a  miserable  sin- 
ner, polluted  with  the  complicated  crimes  of  adultery  and  murder, 
is  here  ascribing  honor  to  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  by  the  pleading  of 
faith.  Had  you  now  asked  Davi-d,  what  he  thought  of  the  pleasures 
of  sin?  He  would  have  read  the  most  affecting  lecture  on  its  exceed- 
ing sinfulness,  and  the  exceeding  distress,  terror  and  horror  it 
brought  upon  his  soul.  Though  invested  with  the  govermnent  of  a 
kingdom,  ytt  he  could  not  command  away  its  terrors  from  his  mind, 
hs  burden  fi-om  his  conscience,  n©r  its  pollution  from  his  soul.  He 
now  found  the  words  of  his  Son  fully  verified,  "Whoso  break- 
eth  an  hedge,  a  serpent  shall  bite  him."....Eccles.  x.  8.  He  had 
broke  through  the  hedge  of  God's  law,  and  that  old  serpent  who 
tempted  hini,  now  stings  and  torments  him.  But  when  Nathan  had 
convinced  David  of  his  transgressions,  so  that  he  cried  out,  "  I  have 
sinned,"  did  not  the  prophet  add?  " The  Lord  also  hath  put  away  thy 
3in."....2  Sam.  xii.  13.  Yes.  Ne\ertheless,  this  penitential  psalm 
was  wrote  afterthis.  From  whence  we  may  infer,  1st.  That  though 
sin  is  put  away  by  the  Lord  Jesus  in  the  court  of  heaven,  yet  the 
poor  sinner  may  not  enjoy  the  comfort  of  this  in  his  own  conscience. 
3d.  There  may  be  true  faith  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  that  it  cleanses 
from  all  sin,  and  yet  the  soul  left  to  cry  out  under  the  pollu- 
tion of  sin.  3d.  A  regenerate  soul  is  as  much  concerned  to  be 
cleansed  from  the  pollution  of  sin  as  to  be  comforted  with  pardon 
for  sin.  4th.  That  true  faith  manifests  itself  in  the  heart,  by  its 
turning  away  from  every  thing,  and  turning  to  that  blessed  fountain 
opened  for  sin  and  uncleanness.  Not  my  tears  of  repentance,  but 
thy  precious  blood,  O  Lamb  of  God,  can  wash  me.  Precious  word  I 
**The  blood  of  the  Son  of  God  cleanseth  from  all  sin."....l  John 
i.  7.  5th.  Faith  ascribes  the  utmost  efficacy  to  it,  "Wash  me  and 
I  shall  be  whiter  than  snow."  I  shall  be  as  free  and  as  fair  from 
the  least  stain  of  sin  in  God's  sight,  as  if  I  had  never  sinned : 
"  Without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing.".. ..Eph.  v.  27.  Hence 
learn,  lat.  As  you  value  the  sense  of  God's  love  and  peace  of  con- 
science, beware  of  sin.  2d.  If  you  sin,  llee  instantly  to  tlie  blood 
of  the  Lamb  to  be  cleansed  and  to  no  other  remedy.  3d.  Believe, 
wait  and  pray.  No  power  can  forgive  sin,  nor  cleanse  from  it,  but 
that  Lord  against  whom  it  is  committed-  "  If  wc  confess  our  sins, 
he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from 
aIlunrighteousness."«.«l  John  i.  9. 


JULY  3.  KT 

Tlie  sorrows  of  a  travailing  xvoman  shall  come  upon  him: 
he  is  an  unwise  son :  for  he  should  not  stay  long  in  the 
place  of  the  breaking  forth  of  children.. ..Hos.  xiii.  13. 

Foolishness  is  bound  in  the  heart  of  a  child,  but  the  rod  of 
correction  shall  drive  it  faa'  from  him....Prov.  xxii.  15.  Though 
God's  children  are  made  wise  unto  salvation,  yet  folly  is  bound  up  in 
their  nature  :  their  conduct  discovers  it,  and  proves  the  necessity 
of  the  rod  of  correction  to  drive  it  from  them.  Here  is  a  threaten- 
ing ;  a  charge  ;  the  reason  for  it,  and  a  most  precious  promise  from 
the  Lord.  1st.  The  threatening.  God  loves  his  children  too  well 
to  spare  the  rod  and  spoil  them ;  "  for  whonr  the  Lord  loveth  he 
correcteth  ;  even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  delighteth."..*.Prov»^ 
iii.  12.  Therefore,  painful  sorrows  like  those  of  a  travailing  woman, 
come  upon  them  :  nature's  pains  prove  nature's  remedies.  The  pain- 
ful visitations  of  love,  prove  spiritual  remedies  to  the  soul :  they 
bring  forth  abundant  blessings.  O  ye  children  of  God,  beware  of 
construing  love-tokens  of  afflictions  into  black  marks  of  hatred.  2d. 
The  charge.  "  He  is  an  unwise  son."  My  dear  heavenly  Father, 
what  great  reason  hast  thou  for  this  charge  against  me  ?  O,  in 
how  many  ways  have  I  displayed  my  folly  !  Though  thy  wisdom 
sees  it,  yet  thy  loving,  gracious  heart  does  not  disinherit,  but  thou 
saith,  SON  still.  "Faith  works  by  this  love,"  all  hope  and  peace  in 
the  conscience,  and  holiness  of  life.  o(\.  See  the  reason  of  the 
charge.  "  He  should  not  stay  long  in  the  place  of  breaking  forth 
of  children  :"  this  was  fulfilled  in  the  conduct  of  the  disciples- 
Christ  coitipared  them  to  a  woman  in  travail  :  told  theni  they  should 
"weep  and  lament,  and  be  sorrowful,"  but  adds,  "Your  sorrow 
shall  be  turned  into  joy.".... John  xvi.  20.  Yet  they  were  unwise 
sons;  they  staid  too  "  long  in  the  place  and  breaking  forth  of  chil- 
dren." Instead  of  being  delivered  of  their  pains  and  sorrows,  by  faith 
in  their  Lord's  death,  they  indulged  them  :  hence  our  Lord  upbraids 
them  :  "  O  fools,  and  slow  of  heart  to  believe."... .Luke  xxiv.  25. 
Do  not  you  fall  luuler  this  reproof  also  ?  Do  you  act  as  a  wise  or. 
an  unwise  son?  Where  are  you?  Has  faith. in  your  Lord  delivered 
you  of  your  pains,  and  brought  forth  joy  ?  Or,  are  you  still  staying 
in  the  chamber  of  labour,  sighing  and  sorrowing  under  bondage  to^ 
fear,  instead  of  rejoicing  as  children  of  God  ?  This,  is  really  the 
case  with  many  disciples  now  :  they  walk  not  in  the  glorious  liberty 
of  the  children  of  God  :  they  do  not  in  their  minds  and  consciences- 
stand  fast,  tiiumph  and  rejoice  in  Christ's  finished  salvation,  but  are 
poring  upon  what  they  are  in  themselves.  4th.  Look  at  the  precious, 
promises  of  your  Lord,  "  I  will  ransom  and  redeem  them,"  &Cm~.. 
Hos.  xiii.  14. 


■\H  JULY  4. 

T/iejojj  of  the  Lord  is  your  slrength....Nch.  vlii.  10. 

This  is  a  precious,  evangelical  chapter:  glorious  gospel  truths 
are  here  held  forth  to  us  :  Lord,  help  us  to  see  them  and  feed  upon 
them,  Here  is,  1st.  A  solemn  observation  of  the  feast  of  taber- 
nacles :  this  was  appointed  by  the  Avisdom  of  God  the  Father.... 
Lev.  xxiii.  3i.  Did  God  solemnly  command  the  people  to  dwell  in 
bootiis  for  eiglit  days,  but  to  some  glorious  end?  No  :  Christ  is  the 
substance  cf  the  v.holc  law  :  here  is  a  shadow  of  him  :  here  is  typi- 
fied (iod's  beloved  Son  who  was  to  tabernacle  in  our  flesh,  and  all 
the  Fi\thtr's  glory  to  dwell  in  him.  2d.  "The  people  gathered 
together  as  one  man,"  So,  '^Unto  Shiloh  (the  Messiah)  shall  the; 
gathering  of  the  people  be.".. ..Gen,  xlix.  10.  3d.  Ezra  the  priest 
reads  and  expounds  to  them  the  law  in  the  open  street,  (much  such 
another  dreadful  crime  as  field-preaching)  the  people  were  convinced 
of  sin  and  wept :  the  law  ministers  death  and  condemnation  to 
them.  Here  is  the  office  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  convincing  of  sin, 
and  comforting  them  by  faith.  4th.  Ezra  preaches  the  gospel  to 
them,  and  says,  "Weep  not,  neither  be  ye  sorry."  No!  Not  when 
their  hearts  were  wounded  by  sin,  the  terrors  of  a  broken  law  fell 
upon  them,  and  when  they  saw  justice  armed  \vith  vengeance  to 
destroy  them?  No:  for,  says  he,  "The  joy  of  the  Lord  is  your 
sti'cngth."  How  so?  A  glorious  vay  of  Christ's  rich  love  and  mar- 
vellous grace  to  poor  sinners  beams  forth  here  :  see  what  is  the  joy 
of  the  Lqrd  ;  our  precious  Lord  Je:sus,  the  aqthor  and  finisher  of 
our  faith,  "  for  thk  joy  that  was  set  before  him  (of  saving  us 
miserable  sinners)  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame. "....Heb. 
xii.  2.  Look  untq  Jesus ;  meditate  on  this  joy  of  your  Lord. 
Though  he  was  to  suffer  the  n:»ost  excruciating  pains  and  agonies 
on  the  cross,  be  exposed  to  public  shame  and  infamy  as  a  malefac- 
tor, hanging  naked  ;  yet  such  was  his  joy  in  saving  his  dear  people 
from  hell,  to  be  glorified  with  him  eternally  in  heaven,  that  he 
patiently  endured  all,  and  cheerfully  despised  all  this.  O,  such  love, 
such  grace,  such  joy  never  dwelt  but  in  the  heart  of  an  incarnate 
God  I  Sinner,  this  joy  of  the  Lord  is  your  strength  and  mine  :  the 
faith  of  this  creates  the  highest  joy  in  our  souls  ;  and  this  joy  inspires 
our  hearts  with  strength  and  courage  against  all  our  enemies  ;  for 
w-e  arc  more  than  conquerors  through  Christ  who  loved  us,  and  had 
such  joy  in  saving  us.  O,  to  think  I  am  a  poor,  weak,  and  vile  sin- 
ner from  day  to  day,  surrounded  by  the  most  subtle  and  powerful 
iocs,  is  enough  to  make  our  hearts  faint,  our  knees  feeble,  and  our 
hands  hang  down  :  but,  O  the  joy,  the  strength  it  inspires  the  soul 
to  know,  "  The  Lord  thy  God  in  the  midst  of  thee  is  mighty."..., 
Zeph.  iii.  17. 

Tlie  joy  which  cometh  from  the  Lord,  It's  reap'd  by  faith  in  his  good  word, 
Owr  daily  strength  shall  be ;  Who  hung  upon  the  tree.  M. 


JULY  5.  189 

Brethren^  give  diligence  to  make  your  calliiig  and  election 
sure.... 2 Pet.  i.  10. 

Work  for  life,  say  the  sons  of  ignorance  and  pride.  Work 
not  at  all  :  Christ  has  left  us  nothing  to  do,  say  the  sons  of  sloth 
and  licentiousness.  But,  say  the  sons  of  wisdom,  we  labour  and  give 
diligence  in  the  ways  of  God :  not  in  order  to  get  life  ;  not  to  be  saved 
for  what  we  do;  but  to  enjoy  more  of  the  life  of  Christ,  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  assurance  of  his  Spirit,  that  we- are  his  children.  To 
this  Peter  exhorts.  Brkthrkn;  ye  who  profess  to  believe  in  the 
Son  of  God,  and  long  to  know  assuredly  that  ye  are  the  children  of 
God,  "  Give  diligence."  Do  not  rest  in  a  few  lazy  wishes,  colcf 
desires,  and  formal  duties,  but  be  earnest,  be  active,  be  upon  the 
stretch  for  God.  As  we  say,  leave  no  stone  unturned:  study  the 
Lord's  word  of  grace,  dwell  upon  the  ricli  promises  of  his  love, 
meditate  upon  the  finished  salvation  of  Christ,  confer  with  his  peo- 
ple, be  fervent  in  prayer,  strive  against  sin,  resist  satan,  deny  the 
flesh,  cry  for  the  witness  of  the  Spirit,  Sec.  all  this,  say  you,  is  very 
good;  but  I  want  power  to  do  this.  Have  you  a  will  to  it?  Then 
the  Lord  who  gave  you  a  will,  will  strengthen  you  by  his  power, 
■while  you  are  found  in  these  things.  Nay,  say  not  you  wish  to  be 
happy  in  God,  if  you  neglect  to  be  diligent  in  the  ways  of  God: 
for  what  is  this  but  solemn  mockery  of  God,  and  sadly  deceiving 
your  own  soul?  Consider  the  end  of  this  diligence,  "to  make  your 
calling  and  election  sure."  1st.  Your  calling :  there  is  a  general 
call  of  the  gospel  to  every  sinner  who  is  within  the  sound  of  it : 
some  rest  in  this  :  this  is  not  meant ;  but  a  special  and  effectual  call 
from  a  death  in  sin,  to  life  and  salvation  in  Christ ;  from  a  proud 
hope  and  vain  confidence  in  ourselvciJfcid  our  works,  to  a  lively 
faith  in  Christ  and  comfortable  fellowsmp  with  God.  2d.  "  Your 
election  :"  this  is  a  frightful  word  to  many  :  they  fight  strongly 
against  it :  as  they  believe  there  is  no  election  of  grace,  they  can- 
not labour  to  make  their  own  sure.  The  apostle  leaves  such  to  their 
own  carnal  notions,  while  he  assures  real  believers  of  this  truth, 
that  some  are  elect,  according  to  the  foreknowledge  of  God....  1  Pet. 
i.  2....and  urges  them  to  diligence,  to  obtain  the  assurance  of  their 
0^vn  interest  therein :  so  that  you  see,  the  doctrine  of  election,  so 
far  from  encouraging  sloth,  is  the  very  spring  of  diligence  and 
activity.  The  Lord  give  us  a  right  judgment  in  all  things;  for 
this  will  influence  to  a  right  walk  and  godly  conversation  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Called  to  run  the  heav'nly  race,  My  soul,  nor  tire,  look  back  nor  faint. 
With  Christ  my  prize  in  view  :  Look  up  to  Christ  for  peace  ; 

I  will  be  diligent,  through  grace,  He  will  give  joy  to  ev'ry  saint, 
With  vigor  to  pursue.  From  doubts  and  fears  release.  M. 


190  JULY  e. 

Gitc  diligence  to  make  i/our  election  sure.... 2 Pet ^  i.  10. 

Without  election  there  had  been  no  Saviour  given;  no  salva- 
tion wrought  out:  no  promises  made:  no  Spirit  sent:  no  sinners 
effectually  called  to  be  saints  :  no  love  in  God  to  comfort  them; 
nor  no  heaven  open  to  receive  them.  O,  how  do  poor  sinners  fight 
against  their  or\vn  mercies,  when  they  fight  against  the  electing  love 
of  God.  But,  says  one,  I  tremble  to  think,  if  I  should  not  be  one 
of  the  elect,  what  a  dreadful  thing  would  that  be  ?  Not  at  all  more 
dreadful,  but  just  the  same  as  if  there  had  been  no  election.  But 
what  kind  of  argument  is  this  against  any  truth?  Suppose  a  pro- 
fane sinner  says,  if  there  is  a  hell  and  1  should  be  one  of  the  damned,^ 
what  a  dreadful  thing  would  that  be?  What  doe&  this  prove  ?  Peo- 
ple are  apt  to  stand  in  nature  and  self,  and  judge  of  the  truths  o£ 
God:  hence  they  have  hard  thoughts  of  a  God  of  love.  Behold  I* 
shew  unto  you  a  more  excellent  way:  far  better  to  give  diligence  to 
make  your  election  sure,  than  to  cavil  and  dispute  about  what  is  a- 
plain  article  of  christian  faith.  Disputes  seldom  promote  love;  but 
assurance  of  our  election  will.  Your  fear  and  trembling,  lest  you- 
should  not  be  one  of  the  elect,  is  a  sure  evidence  that  you  are  not 
stupid  and  thoughtless  about  salvation.  It  is  "with  fear  and  trem- 
bling you  are  called  to  work  out  your  own  salvation,  remembering 
it  is  God  who  works  in  you,  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  plea- 
s^ire."....PhiJ.  ii.  12,  IS.  By  his  grace,  study  diligence  to  make  your 
election  sure:  there  is  no  election  to  salvation,  but  in  Christ.  Sin- 
ners are  chosen,  justified,  sanctified,  and  saved  iir  him,  with  an^ 
everlasting  salvation.  The  faith  of  God's  elect  cordially  receives 
?ind  en^braces  tliese  truths,  and  lives  upon  Christ  to  enjoy  the  com- 
fort of  all  this.  Such  a  believing  soul  caiwiot  but  breathe  out  its> 
sighs  and  send  up  its  prayers  for  the  Ifoly  Ghost  to  bear  witness^ 
with  his  spirit  that  he  is  a  child  of  God.  Says  Peter,  prove  the 
sincerity  of  these,  and  that  your  heart  is  in  earnest  to  enjoy  this; 
assurance,  by  giving  diligence.  Self-love  may  excite  a  desire  after 
comfort :  but  if  faith  works  by  love  to  the  truths  of  God,  it  will 
make  you  diligent  in  the  ways  of  God.  O  the  unsjj^akable  joy, 
when  the  comforting  Spirit  bears  witness  tathe  soul  of  the  Father's 
love  in  Jesus;  that  I  am  a  child  of  God,  through  faith  in  Christ, 
that  njy  sins  are  pardoned  through  his  blood,  and  my  person  justi- 
ijcd  in  his  righteousness:  this  is  glory  begun  below,  by  a  haaven  of 
Jove,  possessing  the  sinner's  soub  Then  he  says,  "  I  live  by  the  faith' 
of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me  and  gave  himself  for  me. "....Gal. 
ii.  20. 

Thnulife  of  lives,  life  of  my  soul,        Q  let  not  sloth  my  powers  coatroul, 
Mt  quicken  tv'ry  clay  ;  To  run  the  heav'nly  way.  M. 


JULY  T.  191 

Men  shall  he  blessed  in  him:  all  nations  shall  call  him 
blessed.... Psalm  Ixxii.  17. 

"  Cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in  all  things,  M'hich 
are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them. "....Gal.  iii.  10.  This 
curse  God  hath  never  revoked  :  every  man  upon  the  earth  is  natu- 
rally under  it:  but  the  greatest  curse  is,  men  neither  believe  it,  feel 
it,  nor  care  for  it.  Hence  they  slight  and  disregard  ihat  dear  Man, 
who  was  made  "  a  curse  for  us,"  that  we  might  be  blessed  in  him. 
Says  our  Lord,  "  search  the  scriptures,  they  testify  of  mev."....John 
V.  39.  Here  is  a  sweet  testimony  for  our  mind  and  precious  food  for 
our  faith:  Jesus,  master,  bless  me  while  I  meditate  on  it.  1st.  Sec 
all  blessedness  in  Christ.  Well  might  Luther  say,  "  I  will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  an  absolute  God:"  that  is,  God  without  a  media- 
tor. O  sinner,  O  saint,  there  is  nothing  but  curee  and  wrath  fur  us 
out  of  Christ:  there  is  a  hell  of  sin  in  our  nature:  the  pride  of  the 
devil  and  the  lust  of  the  beast  dwell  in  our  flesh.  Spirit  of  (iod,  giv« 
us  to  know  this  more  and  more,  to  the  humbling  of  our  hearts  and  to 
the  prizing  of  our  dear  Immanuel :  for  in  Christ  there  is  nothing  but 
blessedness  :  we  are  blessed  in  him.  Blessed  be  his  God  and  Father, 
whoHATH  blessedus,  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ,  accord- 
ing as  he  hath  chosen  us  in  him  before  the  foundationof  thcworld.... 
Eph.  i.3,  4. 

Here  are  precious  foundation-truths  of  our  blessedness  :  faith  re- 
ceives them,  and  works  by  the  love  of  them.  2d.  Not  only  blessed 
IN,  but  blessed  by  Christ:  as  our  covenant  head  he  hath  every 
blessing  for  time  and  eternity  to  bestow  upon  his  members.  We 
have  nol  only  a  notion  of  this,  but  the  enjoymcrrt-of  it.  Christ  is 
the  author  of  our  faith  :  he  gave  us  faith,  that  we  might  feed  on 
him  in  our  hearts,  have  fellowship  with  him  in  our  spirits,  and  have 
all  things  in  common  with  him  which  our  Father's  love  can  bestow, 
to  make  us  blessed  and  happy.  3d.  Men,  miserable,  sinful  men 
shall  not  only  be  blessed  in  and  by  Christ,  but  shall  bless  them,selves 
IN  him.  This  is  a  sweet  art :  Holy  Spirit,  teach  it  us  from  day  to 
day  :  though  we  find  ourselves  vile,  miserable  and  cursed,  yet  let 
us  bless  ourselves  in  the  Lord  ;  boast  of  him,  glory  in,  and  rejoice 
for  what  Christ  of  God  is  made  to  us.  Lastly ;  men  shall  call  Christ 
blessed  :  the  most  blessed  object  their  eyes  ever  saw,  or  their  hearts 
ever  knew.  The  paper  fails  :  Lord  make  up  in  spirit  what  is  want- 
ing in  letter.  There  is  no  end  of  speaking,  dear  Lord,  of  thy  bles- 
sedness. 

In  Christ  I  am  forever  blest,  Faith  lifts  me  out  of  nature's  views, 

Tho*  sill  and  law  condemn  me  still :  And  judges  not  by  carnal  sense: 

Christ  is  my  refuge  and  my  rest.  When  on  Christ's  love  I  sweetly  mu?e. 

Let  carnal  sense  say  vrhav  it  will.  It  drives  all  slavish  terrors  hence.    RI. 


19i  JULY  8. 

God  hath  not  appobiled  us  to  wrath,  but  to  obtain  salvation 
bij  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ....  i  Thess.  v.  9. 

Here  is  a  precious  negative,  a  glorious  positive,  and  happy 
souls:  Lord  help  us  to  meditate  upon  them  to  our  profit.  1st.  The 
negative  :  "  God  hath  not  appointed  us  to  wrath."  St.  Paul  has  in 
his  eye  what  our  proud  nature  cannot  bear  to  hear  of,  the  sovereignty 
of  God :  it  is  as  though  he  had  said  we  are  all  by  nature  children 
of.  wrath  :  we  have  all  by  practice  deserved  wrath.  Here  is  myself: 
the  other  day  I  did  not  know  the  Son  of  God,  but  persecuted  him 
and  his  servants.  If  God  had  dealt  with  us  according  to  our  just 
deserts,  we  should  suffer  his  eternal  wrath  in  hell.  Ls  your  con- 
science convinced  of  this  ?  Do  your  eyes  see  it  ?  Does  your  tongue 
confess  this  ?  Does  your  heart  fear  this  ?  Rejoice  with  w'onder  1 
that  just  God,  who  had  a  sovereign  right,  yet  will  not  appoint  you 
to  wrath  for  your  sins  :  if  you  have  trembled  under  a  sense  of 
wrath,  now  rejoice  at  the  sound  of  everlasting  love  !  For,  2d.  Here 
is  a  ^lorioiis  positive  :  "  God  hath  appointed  us  to  obtain  salvatiort 
by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Ye  poor,  short-sighted  beings,  who 
talk  of  a  possible  salvation,  of  being  brought  into  a  salvable  state, 
of  a  conditional  salvation  cast  upon  certain  terms  we  are  to  perform, 
and  of  one  knows  not  what  unscriptural  jargon  ;  behold  and  stand 
reproved,  for  ye  weaken  faith,  deject  hope,  and  damp  love  in  an 
absolute,  sure  and  certain  salvation,  appointed  by  God  for  those 
who  deserved  wrath  ;  even  the  salvation,  the  finished  salvation  of 
our  Lord  Christ :  this,  this  is  the  blessed  foundation  for  faith,  the 
spring  of  hope,  the  source  of  love.  But,  3d.  Who  are  appointed 
to  obtain  it  ?  I  hope  we  will  allow  the  Lord  of  all,  the  liberty  which 
we  mortals  take  of  appointing  whom  lie  pleases  to  live  with  him. 
Us:  1st.  Whom  God  hath  pleased  to  appoint.  2d.  Us,  for  whom 
Christ  di«d.  3d.  Us,  who  are  not  in  darkness.  4th.  Us,  who  are 
Ihe  children  ©f  light,  and  of  the  day.  These  characters  stand  in 
the  context :  are  they  yours?  Has  God,  who  commanded  the  light 
to  shine  out  of  daTkness,  shined  in  your  heart  to  give  you  the  know- 
ledge of  the  glory  of  Ciod  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ  ?  Have  you 
seen  such  glory  in  the  face,  the  offices,  the  work  of  Christ,  that 
you  choose  him  for  your  Saviour,  and  trust  him  for  your  salvation  ? 
()  fall  down  and  adore  sovereign  love  and  free  grace  !  God  has  as 
surely  appointed  you  to  salvation  as  he  did  Paul  or  any  of  the 
apostles.  Who  shall  disappoint  God  ?  "  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can 
be  against  ua  ?"....Rom.  viii.  31. 

We  all  deserve  eternal  wrath,  Tlien  vvliat  shall  disappoint  our  God  1 

As  the  just  wages  due  to  3in>  Or  ever  frustrate  his  intent  ? 

But  God  appoints  to  all  who've  faith  O  magnify  his  name  abroad, 

In  Christ ;  salvation  to  obtain.  And  love  and  praise  him  ev'ry  saint, 


JANUARY  14.  17 

The  khigdont  of  heaven  suffereth  violence,  and  the  violent 
take  it  btj force.... Matt.  xi.  12. 

We  say,  hunger  will  break  through  stone  walls.  Desperate 
circumstances  make  men  violent.  Thus  it  is  with  a  convinced  sin- 
ner. He  sees  himself  in  the  city  of  destrucLion.  And  Moses  has 
set  his  house  on  fire  about  his  ears,  as  Mr.  Bunyan  says  in  his 
Pilgrim's  Progress.  Now,  he  cannot  think  of  God,  sin,  death, 
judgment,  heaven  and  hell,  with  an  air  of  indifference.  No;  he  is 
awake.  He  sees  the  importance  of  them.  His  soul  is  alive.  He 
feels  the  weight  of  them.  He  finds  sin  has  destroyed  him.  The 
law  terrifies  him.  Death  stares  him  in  the  face.  Judgment  alarms 
him.  He  trembles  to  see  hell  moved  from  beneath  to  receive  him. 
Now  his  fancied  good  works,  his  morality,  &c.  stand  him  in  no 
stead.  He  hungers  after  righteousness.  His  apprehensions  of  wrath 
make  him  violent.  His  hunger  is  keen.  He  besieges  the  kingdom 
of  God  with  eager  prayer.  He  forces  his  way  through  every  oppo- 
sition. He  breaks  through  every  wall  of  obstruction  with,  O  give 
me  Christ,  or  I  perish.  Give  me  his  blood  to  pardon  me,  his 
righteousness  to  justify  me,  or  I  am  damned  for  ever.  This  is 
fleeing  for  refuge.  This  is  like  one  escaping  for  his  life  from  dread- 
ful flames  and  devouring  fire.  This  is  being  violent.  Such  take  the 
kingdom  of  God  by  force.  Though  by  grace  we  are  brought  into 
the  kingdom  of  God,  and  enjoy  pardon  of  sin  and  peace  with  God 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  yet  the  Lord  forbid  that  we  should 
so  lose  our  conviction  of  divine  truths  as  to  have  done  with  holy 
force  and  violence.  Soldiers  of  Christ,  to  arms.  What!  think  of 
laying  down  your  arms  and  folding  your  hands  to  sleep  on  an  enemy's 
ground  when  all  around  are  up  in  arms  against  you?  Come,  come, 
there  is  enough  yet  before  you  to  alarm  you  and  to  call  up  your 
violence.  Sin  is  within  you.  Satan  is  plotting  against  you.  The 
world  would  ensnare  you.  Death  and  judgment  approach  you. 
"The  day  of  the  Lord  will  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night,  in  which 
the  heavens  shall  pass  away  with  a  great  noise,  and  the  elements 
shall  melt  with  fervent  heat,  the  earth  also,  and  tne  works  that  are 
therein  shall  be  burnt  up."  O,  dream  not  over  dry  doctrines  and 
empty  speculations,  so  as  to  be  proof  against  the  force  of  these 
solemn  events,  and  to  lose  your  holy  violence.  For  seeing  that  all 
these  things  shall  be  dissolved,  what  manner  of  persons  oug+it  we 
to  be  in  all  holy  conversation,  and  godliness  looking  for  the  comiog 
of  the  day  of  the  Lord.i..2  Pet.  iii.  11,12. 

Let  UF  ask  the  important  question,  Vain  is  all  our  best  derotioh, 

(Brethren  be  not  too  secure)  If  on  false  foundations  built: 

What  it  is  to  be  a  christian ;  True  religion's  more  than  notion: 

How  we  may  our  hearts  assure  !  Something  must  be  known  and  fell. 

Vol.  H.  C 


18  JANUARY    15. 

Jflio  remembered  us  in  our  low  estate,  for  his  mercy  en- 
durethfor  ever.... Psalm  cxxxvi.  23. 

O  MY  soul,  never,  never  forget  these  two  things,  thy  Lord's 
MEMORY  and  his  mercy.  The  one  was  towards  thee  from  eteniity : 
the  other  endures  for  ever.  What  hast  thou  to  do  in  this  little  spot 
of  time  but  to  love,  serve  and  delight  in  thy  ever  mindful,  ever 
merciful  Lord?  1st.  Consider  thy  low  estate.  Never  lose  sight  of 
it,  never  forget  it,  lest  thou  grow  vain  in  thy  imaginations  and  un- 
mindful of  thy  Lord's  love.  At  hell's  dark  door  we  lay ;  lower  we 
could  not  be,  unless  shut  up  in  the  bottomless  pit.  Most  awful 
state !  O,  tremble  at  the  thought !  dead  in  sin.  A  child  of  wrath 
by  nature:  under  the  curse  of  the  law,  and  the  power  of  the  devil. 
Blind  to  our  danger,  insensible  of  our  destruction,  not  a  desire  to 
escape  damnation:  nay,  we  sported  ourselves  with  our  own  decciv- 
ings;  yet,  2d.  he  remembered  us:  who?  Jehovah,  Father,  Son  and 
Spirit.  The  Father  loved  us  from  eternity  before  we  fell.  He 
remembered  and  pitied  us  when  fallen.  The  Son  stood  up  for  us 
in  eternity,  and  engaged  to  redeem  us  from  our  low  estate.  The 
Spirit,  with  equal  love,  seeing  we  could  never  rise  nor  come  out  of 
the  horrible  pit  into  which  we  were  fallen,  undertook  to  quicken  our 
dead  souls,  to  come  to  Jesus  for  all  the  blessings  of  salvation.  O 
what  love  and  I'emembrance  is  here !  Study  it,  O  my  soul,  all  thy 
days.  A  whole  eternity  will  be  swallowed  up  in  wonder,  love  and 
praise.  3d.  Mercy  is  the  effect  of  this  loving  remembrance.  Why 
does  God  delight  in  mercy?  Because  God  is  love.  Never  look  at 
your  mercies  but  remember  they  all  flow  from  God's  love.  Consi- 
der that  precious  word  "God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great 
love,  wherewith  he  loved  us"  (mind,  great  love  is  the  cause  of 
rich  mercy.  See  when  it  abounded  to  us  and  the  effects  of  it) 
''  erven  when  we  wei'e  dead  in  sins  hath  quickened  us  together  with 
Christ ;  by  grace  ye  are  saved."... .Eph.  ii.  4,  5.  Therefore,  4th. 
"  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever."  Some  talk  of  the  mercy  of  God 
without  scriptural  views  of  his  love.  Hence  they  make  mercy  to 
endure  but  for  a  few  days  or  years  to  poor  sinners ;  then  it  comes  to 
an  end,  and  the  once  objects  of  mercy  become  the  subjects  of  God's 
curse  and  damnation.  So  they  give  the  lie  to  the  Spirit  of  truth. 
But  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever,  because  the  love  of  Father,  Son 
and  Spirit  changes  not.  5th.  Study  to  improve  thy  Lord's  memory 
of  thee,  and  his  mercy  to  thee.  Did  he  remember  thy  person  in 
love  in  thy  low  estate,  and  will  he, remember  thy  sins  no  more?.... 
Heb.  viii.  12.  Then  in  thy  lowest  state  of  dejection  remember  him. 
Look  to  him,  and  call  upon  him,  that  thou  maycst  walk  worthy  of 
the  Lord. ...Col.  i.  10. 


JANUARY   16.  19 

We  having  the  same  spirit  of  faith,  accoi^ding  as  it  is  zcrit- 
te?i,  I  believed,  therefore  have  I  spoken:  ice  also  believe 
and  therefore  speak.... 2  Cor.  iv.  ]  3. 

Wk  should  greatly  admire  these  phrases,  according  as  it  is 
written.... according  to  the  scriptures.  If  our  faith  is  not  founded 
upon  and  agreeable  to  these,  it  is  only  a  fanciful  delusion.  "The 
same  spirit  of  faith."  With  whom?  Paul  ever  has  his  eye  upon 
Christ.  He  refers  to  Psalm  cxvi;  where  Christ  speaks  by  the 
mouth  of  David.  But  what  need  had  Christ  of  faith  ?  Never  forget 
that  he  was  perfect  man,  like  unto  us:  as  such  all  the  graces  of 
the  Spirit  dwelt  in  him.  Faith  in  his  Father's  promises.  Hopt  in 
his  love.  Delight  in  his  law.  Zeal  for  his  glory.  Holy  fear  and 
reverence  of  his  name.  You  see  the  whole  chain  of  graces  in  that 
word,  '*  who  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  when  he  offered  up  prayera  and 
supplications,  with  strong  crying  and  tears,  unto  him  who  was  able 
to  save  him  from  death,  and  was  heard  in  that  he  feared, "....Heb. 
V.  7.  Here  is  faith  in  the  ability  of  God,  hope  in  him,  prayer  tohim, 
fear  of  him,  &c.  This  is  joyful  to  consider,  there  is  not  a  grace  in 
us  but  what  was  in  Christ  our  head  and  flows  lo  us  from  him.  '^  The 
Spirit  of  faith."  It  is  a  spiritual  gift.  It  is  a  lively  grace.  It  is 
not  a  dead  notion  in  the  head,  but  it  brings  the  enjoyment  of  God 
into  the  heart.  If  we  share  in  the  graces  of  Christ  on  earth,  we 
shall  surely  enjoy  his  kingdom  in  glory.  See  the  genuine  efl'tcts  of 
faith.  We  believe  and  therefore  speak.  Faith  in  the  heart  opens 
the  lips.  We  shall  speak,  1st.  To  God  the  Father,  as  to  our 
•  Father,  with  the  holy  boldness  and  loving  confidence  of  children. 
We  shall  delight  to  draw  near  him,  to  tell  him  of  our  sorrows,  our 
enemies,  our  sins,  &c.  yea,  of  all  that  is  in  our  hearts.  For  like  as 
a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him.... 
Psalm  ciii.  13.  2d.  For  the  glory  of  God,  we  shall  speak  of  his  ever- 
lasting, electing  love,  the  freeness  of  his  sovereign  grace,  and  the 
riches  of  his  aljundant  mercy  in  giving  his  Son  to  be  our  Saviour. 
Sd.  We  shall  speak  of  his  Son's  redemption  of  us  from  all  sin  :  the 
glory  of  his  righteousness  in  justifying  us  from  all  condemnation  ; 
and  everlastingly  saving  us  from  sin  to  holiness,  from  hell  to  heaven. 
Lastly,  we  shall  speak  to  the  glory  of  the  Spirit,  of  quickening  our 
dead  souls  and  making  us  happy  in  the  Father's  love  and  the  Son's 
salvation.  Such  is  the  spirit  of  faith.  Lord  help  our  unbelief. 
Lord  increase  our  faith. 

When  we  pray,  or  when  we  sing,  With  a  fix'd  habitual  faith 

Or  read,  or  speak,  or  hear,  Jesus  Christ  to  keep  in  view. 

Or  do  any  holy  thing,  Trusting  wholly  in  his  dcatk 

Be  this  our  aonstant  care  :  In  all  we  ask  or  do. 


20  JANUARY   17. 

IV  ill  the  Lord  cast  ojf  for  ever?  and  ivill  he  be  favorable 
no  more?.... Psalm  Ixxvii.  7. 

Paul  speaks  of  some  who  had  cast  off  their  first  faith.  What 
was  the  consequence?  Having  damnation....!  'J'im.  v.  12.  If  the 
power  and  liveliness  of  faith  abate  in  the  heart  a  sense  of  condera- 
nation  is  in  the  conscience.  Hence,  poor  sensible  sinners  call  in 
question  the  Lord's  love  and  grace  towards  them.  They  are  prone 
to  think  they  have  quite  tired  out  his  patience,  and  that  nothing  but 
wrath  and  misery  await  them.  What  shall  we  say  to  such?  The 
Saviour  himself  speaks  to  them.  Is  it  in  wrath?  Does  he  say,  because 
you  have  forsaken  me  I  will  cast  you  off  forever ;  die  and  be  damn- 
ed for  your  folly ;  I  will  shew  you  no  more  favor?  O,  no.  True 
they  have  deserved  this.  They  have  reason  to  fear  and  expect  this, 
was  it  not  for  the  love  of  his  heart  and  the  grace  of  his  word.  There- 
fore they  may  joyfully  sing 

T)ie  love  divine,  which  made  us  thine, 

Shall  keep  us  thine  for  ever. 
Therefore  love  divine  speaks.  Grace  is  upon  his  lips.  Let  the  chil- 
dren of  fear  and  trembling  hear.  "Rf.member  from  whence  thou 
ART  FALLEN."  Call  to  mind  the  loving  days  of  thine  espousal. 
Then  thy  heart  glowed  with  love  and  was  fired  with  affections  to  me. 
But  how  art  thou  fallen  by  the  love  of  other  objects  from  me  !  I  have 
never  changed  in  my  love  to  you,  nor  in  my  dealings  with  you. 
They  were  all  in  love.  Repent:  change  your  mind  in  regard  to 
your  hard  thoughts  of  me,  as  though  I  would  cast  off  for  ever  and 
be  favorable  no  more.  Change  your  conduct  towards  me.  That 
ever  you  should  prefer  idols,  vanities,  things  of  nought  to  me, 
and  leave  the  enjoyment  of  my  love  to  seek  happiness  in  them. 
Cast  off  them,  for  I  will  never  cast  off  you.  Shew  no  favor  to  them, 
for  I  will  shew  all  favor  to  you.  Do  thy  first  works. ...Rev.  ii.  5. 
Search  my  word.  Study  my  grace.  Dwell  upon  my  love.  Medi- 
tate upon  my  sorrows,  sufferings  and  death  for  your  salvation. 
Attend  to  the  preaching  of  my  gospel.  Come  to  my  table.  Come 
to  me  as  a  poor  sinner,  deceived  by  sin,  and  betrayed  by  folly.... 
Come  to  me  for  my  promised  grace,  peace  and  rest,  power  and 
strength  to  serve  and  obey  me.  O,  may  these  gracious  words  from 
our  all  gracious  Lord,  quicken  the  hope  of  our  souls  to  take  up  the 
prophet's  words  in  spite  of  sin,  satan  and  unbelief,  ''Come  and  let 
us  return  unto  the  Lord,"  Stc....Hosea  vi.  1. 

The  sinner  who  by  precious  faith  Not  as  the  world  the  Saviour  gives, 

Has  known  his  sins  torgiv'n,  He  is  no  fickle  friend, 

Is  from  that  moment  pass'd  from  death,  Whom  once  he  loves,  he  never  leaves, 
And  seal'd  an  heir  of  heav'n.  But  Iotcs  him  to  the  end. 


JANUARY   18.  SI 

/  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  ivitli  them,  and  zcill  not 
turn  aicay  from  them  to  do  them  good.... J er.  xxxii.  40. 

A  MiNiSTKR  lately  preaching  on  the  tremendous  solemnity  of 
the  last  day,  at  the  close  of  his  sermon  thus  addressed  his  hearers  : 
'f  Most  awful  as  my  subject  has  been ;  most  solemn  things  you  have 
heard ;  yet  I  have  one  thing  more  to  add  which  is  as  awful.  'Tis  this. 
'Ere  to-morrow's  sun,  perhaps  you  will  forget  all  you  have  heard  of 
this  solemn  subject."  Awful  conclusion !  Is  not  this  too  much  our 
case  respecting  the  covenant  love  and  faithfulness  of  our  God?  Else 
why  those  unreasonable  doubts,  groundless  suspicions,  heart-rend- 
ing jealousies,  ajul  soul-dejecting  fears  which  possess  us?  Else 
whence  that  slowness  of  heart  to  approach  the  Lord,  to  cast  our 
care  upon  him,  put  our  trust  in  him,  glory  of  him,  live  upon  him 
and  rejoice  in  him?  The  Lord  will  ever  be  mindful  of  his  covenant.... 
l*sam  cxi.  5.  But  shame  to  us  we  do  not  reniember  as  we  ought, 
that  we  are  the  Lord's  covenant  people,  that  he  has  made  an  ever- 
lasting covenant  with  us  in  Christ  our  head  and  representative. 
He  is  the  Mediator  of  this  covenant.  The  moment  we  believe  on 
Jesus  we  have  that  one  heart  which  is  towards  him,  and  we  chods'e 
him  as  our  one  way.  This  the  Lord  promises  in  the  former  verse." 
Then  we  enter  upon  the  everlasting  covenant.  This  is  said  to  be^ 
made  with  us,  for  the  grace  of  it  is  applied,  the  blessings  bestowed^' 
and  the  promises  of  it  made  good  to  us.  But  here  is  a  future 
prospect.  The  Lord  gives  one  special  promise  which  includes  every 
mercy,  comfort  and  blessing  our  souls  can  wish  for.  I  will  not 
TURN  away  from  thkm,  TO  DO  THEM  GOOD.  Lord  make  us  strong 
in  faith,  that  we  may  give  glory  to  thee  for  this  exceeding  great  and 
precious  promise.  Consider,  1st.  This  and  every  other  promise  is 
in  Christ  Jesus.  All  the  promises  are  in  him....2Cor.  i.  20.  2d.  It 
is  absolute  and  unconditional  in  regard  to  us:  for  Christ  our  head 
has  fulfilled  all  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the  covenant  for  us. 
Hence  every  blessing  comes  freely  by  him  and  through  him  to  us.' 
Our  every  plea  for  every  promise  and  grace  is  for  Christ's  sake. 
Most  precious  and  most  prevailing  plea!  A  perfect  atonement  and 
perfect  righteousness  faith  has  to  present  and  plead  to  divine  justice. 
Therefore  let  us  come  with  boldness  to  a  throne  of  grace.  3d.  WiH" 
God  never  turn  away  from  us  to  do  us  good?  O,  how  should  this 
endear  him  to  our  souls?  How  watchful,  how  careful  ought  we  td' 
be,  not  to  turn  away  from  him  to  do  evil?  Lastly,  we  may  bid  de- 
fiance to  sin,  the  world,  satan,  death  and  hell.  For  if  the  Lord 
will  do  us  good  what  shall  harm  us  ?  If  God  be  for  us  who  shall  be 
against  us?  If  every  good  is  thus  promised,  heaven  the  chief  of  all 
good  is  secure  to  us. 


2!^  J.\NUARY   19. 

The  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered. ...Matt. 
X.  30. 

I  NKVKR  can  understand  this,  says  carnal  reason.  Therefore 
reject  it,  says  hunian  pride.  What  didst  thou  ever  gain,  O  christian, 
by  indulging  carnal  reasonings  or  giving  way  to  human  pride?  Verily, 
many  a  sad  hour,  many  an  uncomfortable  frame.  O,  how  happy 
doth  simple  faith  make  the  heart!  it  receives  every  word  which  the. 
Lords  speaks,  and  draws  comfort  from  it.  It  serves  carnal  reason 
and  pride,  as  David  did  his  ten  concubines.  He  put  them  in  ward 
and  shut  them  up  to  the  day  of  their  death....2  Sam.  xx.  3.  For 
verily  they  are  like  the  spies  which  Moses  sent  out,  "  who  brought 
up  an  evil  report  of  the  Iand."....Numb.  xiii.  32.  Therefore  listen 
not  at  all  to  their  suggestions.  Our  Lord  never  spoke  a  word  to  be 
the  subject  for  thy  curiousspcculations;  butthatthoushouldst  humbly 
believe  it,  exercise  thy  believing  mind  upon  it,  and  derive  peace  and 
comfort  from  it.  Our  Lord  had  been  telling  his  disciples  things 
very  disagreeable  to  flesh  and  blood.  That  they  were  as  sheep 
among  wolves;  would  be  hated  of  all  men  for  his  name's  sake  and 
persecuted.  Yet  says  he,  fear  not  them  who  can  only  kill  the  body. 
They  cannot  touch  the  soul.  But  what  disciple  is  there  who  is 
not  subject  to  fear  the  wrath  of  man  ?  Fear  of  being  hurt  is  natural 
to  us  all.  What  can  deliver  a  man  from  and  set  him  above  this 
fear?  Nothing  but  the  power  of  faith.  Here  is  the  Lord's  word. 
The  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered.  Now  you  are 
brought  to  the  suburbs  of  comfort.  Believe  and  enter  into  it.  If 
every  the  most  minute  excrescence  of  my  body  lies  open  to  my 
heavenly  Father's  eye,  if  not  one  of  them  can  fall  to  the  ground 
without  his  permission,  then  carnal  reason  avaunt.  Fears  begone. 
Men  and  devils  do  your  worst.  My  loving  Father  stands  between 
your  wrath  and  my  soul.  I  am  safe  while  omnipotence  lives  and 
everlasting  love  changes  not.  Ah,  but  when  I  think  of  the  hairs 
of  my  head,  I  think  of  my  sins.  If  the  former  are  numbered,  the 
latter  are  all  recorded;  and  they  are  more  in  number  than  the  very 
hairs  of  my  head,  therefore  my  heart  faileth  me....Psalm  xl.  12. 
Then  let  sense  and  reason  be  subject  to  faith.  Hear  and  rejoice  at 
what  thy  Lord  saith.  I  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud  thy 
transgressions,  and  as  a  cloud  thy  sins ;  return  unto  me,  for  I  have 
redeemed  thee....Isa.  xliv.  22. 

Still  with  my  God  1  leave  my  cause,  Not  all  rlie  puins  that  ere  I  bore, 
Anrl  trust  his  promis'd  p^race;  Shall  spoil  my  future  peace; 

lie  rules  me  oy  his  well-known  laws  For  death  and  hell  can  do  no  more 
Of  love  and  righteousness.  Than  what  my  Father  please. 


a* 


JANUARY  20.  23 

/  have  blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud  thy  trans^ressicms,  and 
as  a  cloud  thy  sins;  return  unto  me,  for  I  have  redeemed 
thee....Isa.  xliv.  22. 

Thus  of  miserable  sinners  God  makes  happy  saints.  Here  is 
the  work  of  each  divine  person  in  the  ever-glorious  trinity.  God 
the  Father  blots  out  sins  in  the  court  of  heaven:  God  the  Son  by 
liis  atonement  on  the  cross:  and  God  the  Spirit  in  the  court  of  a 
sinner's  conscience.  Believe  and  enjoy  the  comfort  of  this.  Now 
may  the  God  of  hope  fill  us  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing  this, 
and  make  us  to  abound  in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.. ..Rom.  xv.  13.  When  the  dear  >\omen  came  unto  the  sepul- 
chre to  see  our  Lord,  they  said,  who  shall  roll  away  the  stone  from 
the  door  ?....]VIark  xvi.  3.  But  behold  it  was  done.  So  a  poor  broken 
hearted  sinner  says,  this  thick,  black,  impenetrable  cloud  of  my 
sins  intercepts  between  my  soul  and  the  light  of  God's  countenance; 
it  prevents  the  comforting  rays  of  the  sun  of  righteousness  from 
shining  into  my  soul.  O,  who  can  disperse  it?  None  but  God.  Be- 
hold he  hath  done  it,  and  he  assures  us  of  it.  Look  within  and  be 
humble,  look  up  and  be  joyful.  Did  you  thii.k  a  storm  of  divine 
wrath  and  terrible  vengeance  was  gathering  over  your  guiltv  liead? 
Behold,  love  speaks,  grace  proclaims,  mercy  declares  I  have  dis- 
persed the  cloud:  I  have  blotted  out  thy  sins.  Grace  super-abounds 
over  all  the  aboundings  of  sin.  A  deluge  of  pardoning  love,  mercy 
and  grace  washes  away  all  thy  transgressions.  They  are  all  dispers- 
ed like  a  cloud  driven  away  by  the  sun.  What?  all  this  rich  love, 
mercy  and  grace  to  such  a  hell-deserving  sinner  as  I  am  ?  and  that 
too  without  any  terms  and  conditions,  requisites  and  deserts  of  mine  ? 
Yes,  all  is  of  rich  love,  free  grace  and  sovereign  mercy.  But  be- 
hold the  end  of  this.  It  is  to  attach  thy  heart  to  a  sin-pardoning 
Lord.  For  he  says,  "Return  unto  me."  O,  nothing  attracts  the 
gracious  heart  from  sin,  the  world  and  vanity,  to  the  Lord,  like  free 
and  full  declarations  of  gospel  grace  and  pardoning  love.  O,  my 
soul,  return  from  thy  backsliding  ways,  thy  unbelieving  thoughts, 
thy  jealousies  and  suspicions  of  thy  Lord's  love,  unto  hini.  For  "I 
have  redeemed  thee."  Look  on  thy  sins,  see  thyself  redeemed  from 
them  by  blood  divine.  Look  to  heaven  ;  see  it  purchased  for  thee, 
and  secured  by  thy  Redeemer's  righteousness.  Now  glory  of,  and 
live  like  a  son  of  God  and  a  joint  heir  with  Christ.  O,  may  his 
blood  make  all  serene  within.  May  that  purge  our  conscience  from 
all  dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God....neb.  ix.  14. 

Redeeming  grace,  forgiving  love,  Thy  Sariour  calls,  my  soul,  return 
•Tis  a  mo3t  glorious  theme  !  To  taste  his  pard'niiig  love, 

It  fills  us  with  the  joys  above,  This  makes  thy  frozen  heart  to  bum, 
God's  glorf  to  proclaim.  While  praise  ascends  above.       M. 


24  JANUARY  21. 

Is  not  this  the  carpenter's  son F.. ..Matt.  xiii.  o5. 

"  Such  indignity  I  cannot  bear,:  such  insult  is  intolerable."  Ah  ! 
•who?  What  art  thou  uho  speakest  thus?  Thou  sinful  dust,  thou 
proud  worm  of  earth,  look  unto  Jesus.  See,  the  King  of  kings,  the 
Son  of  God  becomes  a  mean  man,  the  son  of  a  carpenter ;  yea  more, 
himself  a  carpenter,  the  son  of  Mary. ...Mark  vi.  3.  Mark  his  con- 
descension; learn  humility  hence.  Behold  his  treatment  and  con- 
tempt. Learn  patience  and  submission.  Astonishing  mystery ! 
Let  reason  bow  and  faith  adore.  Sinner,  behold  with  joy  and  wonder 
thy  God  in  flesh.  Born  under  that  curse  for  sin,  "in  the  sweat  of 
thy  brow  thou  shalt  eat  thy  bread. "....Gen.  iii.  19.  He  works  at  a 
mean  trade,  and  follows  an  ordinary  occupation.  O  ye  great  and 
mighty  who  are  above  trade,  and  despise  those  who  follow  it,  saved 
ye  must  be  by  this  carpenter's  son,  or  perish  everlastingly.  He  is 
the  one  and  only  object  of  hope  and  salvation,  "lie  is  God  and 
man  in  one  Christ.  One,  not  by  conversion  of  the  godhead  into 
flesh,  but  by  taking  the  manhood  into  God."     Well  might  Isaiah 

style  him  wonderfui Chap.  ix.  6.     He  is  so,  both  as  God  and  as 

man,  and  as  God  and  man  in  one  Christ,  wonderful  in  love,  suff'er- 
ings  and  power  to  save  sinners.  Wonderful  in  his  humility,  for  he 
made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took  on  him  the  form  of  a  ser- 
vant. The  Jews  were  "astonished  at  him,  and  said,  whence  hath 
this  man  this  wisdom,  and  these  mighty  works?"  Yet  they  were 
ofi'ended  in  him,  because  of  the  meanness  of  his  birth,  parentage 
and  education.  Exceeding  foolish :  so  is  judging  of  Christ  by  sight 
and  sense.  But  he  says,  "Blessed  is  he  who  shall  not  be  ofiended 
in  me.".... Matt.  xi.  6.  It  is  the  blessed  nature  and  peculiar  office  of 
faith,  to  pierce  through  the  mean  appearance  of  the  humanity,  and 
to  see  the  godhead  of  Christ.  Here  is  the  sure  evidence  of  vocation, 
"Though  Christ  is  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling  block  and  to  the  Greeks 
foolishness,  yet  to  them  who  arc  called,  Christ  the  power  of  God, 
and  the  wisdom  of  God."....  1  Cor.  i.  23,24.  Now  do  you  see  salvation 
finished  by  the  power  and  according  to  the  wisdom  of  Ciod  by  this 
carpenter's  son?  Mean  and  contemptible  as  he  appeared  in  the  eyes 
of  others,  do  you  see  such  matchless  beauty,  such  divine  glory 
shine  in  his  person  and  works,  as  to  say,  My  Lord  and  my  Ciod? 
()  beware  of  looking  on  this  as  a  common  call.  Know  it  is  of  special, 
peculiar,  distinguishing  grace.  Give  glory  to  the  Holy  Spirit  for 
it.  Rejoice  at  the  meanness  of  thy  Lord:  love  him  for  it:  all  was 
for  thy  salvation.  Rejoice  in  him  ;  though  to  the  eye  of  sense  mean 
and  contemptible,  yet  he  is  "able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost  all  who 
come  unto  God  by  him."....Heb.  vii.  25. 


JULY  9.  193 

One  mediator  between  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ 
Jesus. ...I  Tim.  ii.  5. 

O,  MY  fellow-sinners,  I  heartily  congratulate  your  soul  and  my 
own  for  this  blessed  truth  I  Lord,  help  us  to  live  upon  it  in  our  con- 
sciences from  day  to  day  :  for  it  is  not  a  speculative,  but  an  experi- 
mental truth  :  it  enters  into  the  very  essence  of  our  faith,  is  the 
very  life  of  our  hope,  lies  at  the  foundation  of  our  peace,  and  is  the 
very  source  of  every  blessing  and  comfort.  If  we  are  not  conti- 
nually looking  to  this  one  mediator,  Jksus,  we  lose  the  peace  of  faith, 
the  comfort  of  hope,  the  fellowship  of  love,  and  get  into  perplexity 
of  mind:  then,  we  do  not  draw  nigh  to  God  with  confidence,  stand 
before  him  with  boldness,  nor  cheerfully  walk  with  him  in  love  and 
holiness.  Consider,  1st.  A  mediator  stands  as  a  middle  person, 
interposing  between  two  parties  at  variance,  to  make  peace  and  re- 
conciliation: this  Christ  hath  perfectly  done  :  he  hath  for  ever  made 
peace  by  the  blood  of  his  cross.. ..Col.  i.  20.  Sin  M'as  the  cause  of 
variance  between  God  and  us :  but  Christ  hath  put  away  sin  by  the 
sacrifice  of  himself... .Heb.  ix.  26.  Thus  the  work  of  reconciliation 
is  finished  respecting  God.  But,  2d.  Jesus  hath  a  work  to  do  with 
us;  for  we  are  naturally  alienated  from  God  and  enemies  to  him  in 
our  minds:  this  is  manifest  by  our  wicked  ways:  but,  says  the  apos- 
tle, "  you  hath  he  now  reconciled.".. ..Col.  i.  '2  1.  Is  it  so  with  you? 
Has  Christ  by  the  persuasive  eloquence  of  his  tongue,  the  affecting 
oratory  of  his  love,  and  the  sweet  power  of  his  Spirit  conquered 
the  rebellion  of  your  will,  subdued  the  stubborn  pride  of  your  heart, 
«nd  gained  your  affections  for  God?  Yes,  say  you:  but  I  am  such  a 
miserable  sinner,  I  fear  God  will  not  receive  me;  I  have  so  much 
sin  in  me,  I  think  he  cannot  be  reconciled  to  me  and  at  peace  with  nie. 
Nay,  but  if  Jesus  had  not  been  a  mediator  for  miserable  sinners  full 
of  sin,  Paul  had  been  damned,  all  the  apostles  in  hell,  and  every 
saint  now  in  glory  would  have  been  in  endless  torment;  all  the  com- 
fort of  Christ's  mediation  is  enjoyed  by  faith,  od.  Christ  lives  to 
keep  up  perfect  reconciliation  between  God  and  us.  O  that  is  a 
most  precious  word :  "  For  if  when  we  were  enemies,  we  were  re- 
conciled to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son,  much  more  being  reconcil- 
ed, we  shall  be  saved  by  his  life. "....Rom.  v.  10.  Look  back  to 
the  atonement  of  Christ  on  the  cross ;  look  up  to  the  intercession 
of  Christ  at  the  right  hand  of  a  reconciled  God ;  look  forward  and 
see  heaven  open  to  receive  you,  and  the  arms  of  a  loving  Father  to 
embrace  you. 
When  sin  and  satan  rae  assauk,  Christ  ever  stands  before  the  throne, 

And  strive  to  break  my  peace:  His  precious  work  to  plead;   [pone; 

I  dare  not  say,  I  have  no  fault,  Hence  guilt  and  wrath  from  me  are 

But  Christ  shall  me  release.  Christ  brings  the  peace  I  need.     M. 

Vol,  II.  A  a 


194  JULY    10. 

Fear  ye  iiol.    S'umi  sliU  and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord. 
Exod.  xiv.  13. 

Now  were  the  people  of  God  in  a  great  strait,  even  at  their 
wits' end:  perish  they  must,  to  all  human  appearance.  A  wide 
ocean  is  before  them.  Inaccessible  mountains  suiTound  them.  An 
enraged  monarch  pursues  them  :  death  in  various  shapes  presents  it- 
self to  them:  yet,  for  all  this,  says  Moses,  "fear  not."  Peevish 
unbelief  and  carnal  reason  might  suggest,  what!  not  be  afraid, 
when  inevitable  destruction  must  be  our  doom?  Why  will  Moses 
talk  to  us  after  this  mad,  enthusiastic  rate?  But,  in  the  view  of  ap- 
parent destruction,  Moses  tells  them  of  certain  salvation,  and  com- 
mands them  to  stand  still  and  behold  it :  we  do  not  hear  one  word 
from  Moses  to  soothe  their  fears  or  comfort  their  minds,  from  any 
considerations  of  what  they  were  in  themselves,  what  good  works 
they  had  done,  what  terms  and  conditions  they  had  performed  to 
entitle  them  to  the  Lord's  favor,  8cc.  No  ;  but  they  were  at  this  very 
moment  indulging  carnal  reason  and  the  nmrmurs  of  unbelief: 
"  Why  hast  thou  brought  us  forth  ?  Better  to  serve  the  Egyptians, 
than  to  perish  here,"  &c.  Hence  observe,  1st.  In  times  of  diffi- 
culty, in  seasons  of  distress,  when  sin  rages,  conscience  accuses, 
the  law  condemns,  carnal  reason  suggests,  unbelief  prevails,  and  mx 
poor  sinners  are  at  our  wits'  end  ;  seeing  justice  pursuing,  all  hope 
and  help  failing,  and  despair  at  the  door,  then  the  salvation  of  Jesus 
is  to  be  looked  unto:  in  such  seasons  how  doth  this  quell  our  fears, 
compose  and  comfort  our  minds!  But,  2d.  What  is  it  to  stand 
STILL  and  see  the  salvation  of  the  Lord?  Is  it  to  cease  from  prayer 
and  all  other  means  of  grace,  and,  as  some  say,  be  still  ;  stir  not 
hand  or  foot  in  the  way  of  duty  ?  No ;  for,  contrary  to  this,  the  Lord 
ordered  the  people  to  "go  forward."  What  is  it  then,  but  in  the 
midst  of  fears,  in  the  sight  of  dangers,  and  in  the  dread  of  destruc- 
tion, to  cease  from  all  self-confidence,  to  attend  to  the  voice  of  the 
Lord,  to  rely  upon  his  gracious  promises,  and  quietly  to  hope  for  his 
threat  deliverance ;  for,  O  precious  word  !  says  Moses,  "The  Lord 
shall  fight  for  you  :"  and  what  then?  "Ye  shall  hold  your  peace." 
How  soon,  how  effectually  did  the  Lord  do  this?  He  both  destroyed 
their  enemies,  saved  them,  silenced  all  their  unbelieving  fears  and 
imreasonabic  murnmrings  :  they  saw  their  enemies  no  more  for  ever. 
Stand  still,  O  soul,  admire,  adore,  love,  and  confide  in  a  gracious, 
Avonder-working,  sinner-saving  Lord  :  look  on  thine  enemies  as  the 
foes  of  thy  Lord:  he  has  promised  their  destruction  and  thy  salvation. 
Rejoice  to  think  of  that  day  when  thou  shalt  see  thy  Lord  in  glory, 
and  thine  enemies  no  more  for  ever. 

Stand  still  my  soul,  salvation  view,       Reject  tliy  fears,  believe  anew 
Ab  fiursh'd  by  tby  J.ord,  Tliy  Lord's  supporting  word. 


JULY  11.  193 

I  will  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  viij  soul  shall  be  joyful  in 
my  God,  for  he  hath  clothed  me  ivith  the  garments  of 
salvation,  he  hath  covered  me  with  the  robe  of  righteous- 
ness....Isa.  Ixi.  10. 
It  would  be  surprising  to  see  a  malefactor  f^oing  to  execution, 
singing  and   rejoicing  all  the  May.     But,  if  \vhen  he  came  to  the 
fatal  place,  he   should  produce  the  king's   free  pardon,  with  royal 
promises  of  being  admitted  to  his  presence,  and  appearing  at  court 
in   the   richest  robes   of  the   king's  providing,  our   wonder  would 
cease  ;    we  should  own  that  he  really   had  abundant  cause  for  joy. 
Come,  my   fellow-condemned   malefactors,  though  sin  has  stripped 
you  of  your  innocent  dress  of  righteous  clothing  ;   though  you  arc 
under  the  sentence  of  death  ;  yet  behold,  here  is  a  pardon  for  you, 
the  best  robe  to  put  upon  you,  and  a  sure  promise  of  admission  into 
the  king's  presence  in  it.     Read  it  and   rejoice.     Crack    rkigns 

THROUGH     RIGHTEOUSNKSS     UNTO    ETERNAL     I.IKK....Koni.     V.     21, 

The  God  of  righteousness  clothes  us  naked  sinners  with  the  gar- 
ments of  salvation,  and  adorns  us  with  the  robe  of  rij^hleousness, 
which  our  heavenly  bridegroom  wrought  out  for  us  :  this  is  the 
blessing  of  being  married  to  Christ  by  faith  ;  this  is  the  joy  of  faith ; 
this  causes  joy  of  soul,  and  great  rejoicing  in  the  Lord  our 
RIGHTEOUSNESS.  When  all  sense  of  comfort  and  feelings  of  joy 
in  nature  are  dead ;  yet,  in  Jesus  our  covenant  head,  we  iiavc  a  never- 
failing  source  of  comfort,  and  an  inexhaustible  spring  of  joy:  faith 
leaves  nature  behind,  with  all  its  sins  and  miseries  ;  it  looks  neither 
to  works  nor  worthiness  in  self,  but  considers  what  Christ  is  to  the 
soul,  and  what  the  soul  is  in  him,  righteous,  perfectly  and  ever- 
lastingly righteous.  O  then  joy,  great  joy  springs  up;  see  the 
claim  of  faith,  mv  Cod.  Though  faith  doth  not  cause  the  Lord  to 
become  our  Cod,  nor  adopt  us  into  his  family  ;  yet  it  claims  that 
peculiar  and  precious  interest  in  him,  which  the  word  of  his  grace 
reveals.  The  Father  draws  us  by  his  Spirit  to  liis  Son  for  righte- 
ousness ;  the  Spirit  bears  witness  that  we  are  lightcous  in  his  Son  : 
then  faith  makes  the  claim,  boasts  of  it,  and  glories  in  it :  then 
Jesus  has  our  hearts  and  our  hopes  ;  our  afl'ections  are  placed  on  him  ; 
our  hopes  center  in  him»  Then  we  find  our  Cod  in  Christ;  we  call 
him  MY  Cod;  Abba,.  Father:  we  are  at  peace  with,  and  joyful  in 
him;  we  proclaim  our  joy  in  our  Cod.  Whatl  clothed  with  the 
garments  of  salvation,  which  we  wrought  not ;  covered  with  the 
robe  of  righteousness,,  which  we  spun  not,  and  not  be  joyful?  O 
.  believers  be  ashamed  of  your  unbelief,  it  damps  your  py :  it 
withholds  the  glory  of  your  heart. 

Rejoice,  my  soul,  thy  Jesus  praise,        When  naked,  poor,  and  destitute, 
And  walk  before  him  all  thy  days  i       He  fed  and  gloih'd  rhae  with  rich  suit 


196  JULY   15. 

Every  otic  that  useth  milh\  is  imskilfulin  the  zcord  of  7'igh- 
teousiiess,  for  he  is  a  babe....lleb.  v.  13. 

This  is  a  sharp  reproof:  as  then,  so  now  there  arc  many  vho 
need  it.  The  word  rendered  unskilfi'i.,  inthc  margin  of  our  bibles 
is,  hath  NO  EXPERiKNCE.  Christian  experience  is  much  talked  of, 
too  little  understood:  many  furnish  out  a  loni?  detail  of  experience 
which  they  have  had  of  one  thing  and  another,  but  you  can.  find 
nothing  of  the  word  of  righteousness  m  it.  It  all  begins  in  self, 
ends  in  self,  and  tends  (o  exalt  self.  O,  there  is  a  great  deal  of 
self-seeking,  self-soothing  and  sel^complacency  in  what  is  called 
christij^n  experience:  but  real  christian  experience  is  that  inward 
proof  or  trial  which  our  minds  have  of  the  word  of  righteous- 
XEss;  how  the  belief  of  it  has  brought  relief  to  our  guilty  con- 
sciences, ease  to  our  troubled  souls,  and  rest  to  our  weary  minds. 
From  hence,  Christ  the  sum  and  substance  of  the  word  of  righte- 
ousness becomes  precious,  sin  hateful,  ourselves  vile,  our  righte- 
ousness filthy  rags,  the  world  contemptible,  the  path  of  duty  plea- 
sant, the  way  of  holiness  delightful,  and  fellowship  with  God  most 
highly  estimable  to  our  souls  :  this  is  christian  experience  indeed  ; 
but  all  experience  which  is  talked  of,  that  does  not  arise  from  the 
word,  is  not  agreeable  to  the  word,  and  is  not  supported  by  the 
word  of  righteousness,  is  fancy,  whim  and  delusion.  Many  use 
milk  and  are  babes ;  they  are  unskilful,  have  no  experience  of  the 
word  of  righteousness,  God's  everlasting,  electing  love  and  covenant 
grace  to  sinners  in  Christ,  his  full  and  free  justification  of  them  with- 
out their  works  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  yet  saving  them  to 
all  good  works  by  the  grace  of  Christ;  the  sovereign  efficacy  of  the 
Spirit  in  bringing  them  to  Christ,  and  their  certain  perseverance 
and  sure  salvation,  being  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  in 
Christ.  Though  the  word  of  righteousness  holds  forth  these  glorious 
truths  as  plainly  as  though  wrote  with  a  sun-beam,  yet  such  babes 
cannot  bear  them;  their  stomachs  heave  against  them  ;  their  spirit 
rises  with  indignation  at  them  ;  they  can  only  feed  upon  milk  and 
pap  like  babes  ;  they  wrangle  and  cry  and  puke  like  babes  if  you 
pwt  strong  meat  into  their  mouths  :  therefore,  they  cannot,  they  do 
not  grow  strong  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  they  are  content  with 
the  first  principles  of  Christianity ;  they  are  not  going  on  to  per- 
fection, and  growing  up  into  Christ  Jesus  in  all  things.  O,  get 
beyond  such  babish  experience  ;  prize  highly  the  word  of  righte- 
ousness ;  bring  all  your  experience  to  it :  draw  all  your  comfortr 
from  it  ;  judge  of  your  stale  by  it ;  be  clothed  with  humility;  fight 
not  against  Ciod's  sovereign  purposes,  council  and  covenant ;  put  on 
that  Spirit,  and  pray  to  the  Lord,  "  That  which  1  see  not,  teach  thou 
mc."....Job  xxxiv.  32. 


JULY    13.  19^7 

!^aul  said  to  Davids  thou  art  not  able  to  go  agaiiist  this 
Philistine  to  fight  icitli  Jiim :  for  thou  art  but  a  youth  ; 
and  he  a  man  of  icar  from,  his  youth....  1  Sam.  xvii.  33. 

We  fre(|iiently  use  the  phrase,  carnal  reason  :  what  do  we 
mean  by  it?  Just  what  Saul  here  uses  to  David:  it  is  the  reason  of 
the  flesh ;  it  consults  the  nature  and  appearance  of  things  only  ;  it 
judi^es  of  and  determines  events  according  to  human  probability  en- 
tirely ;  it  looks  to  no  other  or  higher  cause  than  nature  and  sense. 
Now,  had  David  listened  to,  and  obeyed  this  sort  of  reasoning^,  he 
would  have  brought  no  honor  to  his  God,  nor  wrought  deliverance 
for  his  people;  but  observe,  O  my  soul,  David  opposed  faith  to  thib 
carnal  reasoning,  and  by  faith  overcomes  it :  there  is  not  one  word 
of  the  Lord  in  Saul's  mouth;  but  David  introduces,  "the  Lord, 
the  deliverer."  Like  Paul,  "  he  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood." 
....Gal.  i.  16.  But  being  valiant  in  faith,  he  goes  forth  against  lii» 
gigantic  foe,  in  the  name,  relies  upon  the  power  of  an  omnipotent 
Lord,  and  thus  he  obtains  a  glorious  victory  :  most  excellent  lesson 
for  us.  Christian,  ever  consider  your  carnal  reason  as  a  home-bred 
enemy,  a  domestic  foe  that  opposes  your  Lord's  truths,  with,  how 
can  these  things  be?  It  disputes  your  Lord's  commands,  with,  hath 
the  Lord  forbid  this?  Doth  he  require  that?  It  dares  cavil  against 
the  mysteries  of  grace,  and  wants  them  to  be  explained  to  the  judg- 
ment of  carnal  conception,  or  else  cries,  reject  them  as  absurdities. 
How  often  has  this  enemy  put  you  to  the  stand  when  you  should  have, 
followed  your  Lord  ?  How  often  caused  your  hands  to  hang  down 
when  they  should  have  been  lifted  up  to  the  Lord  ?  How  often  caused 
you  to  lay  aside  the  weapons  of  your  warfare,  when  you  should 
have  fought  the  good  fight  of  faith  ?  Treat  it  as  an  enemy  to  your 
Lord's  glory,  and  your  soul's  comfort :  refuse  it  audience  ;  remem- 
ber the  antidote  against  it  is,  simple  faith  in  divine  truth :  this  brings^ 
the  enjoyment  of  God  into  the  heart ;  engages  his  power  in  one's, 
defence;  arms  the  soul  with  fortitudp  against  every  enemy  which 
carnal  reason  represents  as  too  formidable  to  stand  against:  yea,; 
faith  takes  up  this  triumphing  cry,  "More  than  conqueror,  in  all 
these  things,  through  Christ  who  hath  loved  us."....Kom.  viii.  37. 
And  boldly  challenges,  "  who  shall  lay  any  thing  to  the  charge  of 
God's  elect  ?".... Rom.  viii.  33.  O  that  little  word  elkct,  how  does 
carnal  reason  fight  against  it  1 

My  reason  proud  resists  my  faith,  This  is  a  sin,  we  should  confess. 
And  oft  dejects  my  heart :  And  cry  unto  the  Lord,  [bless, 

•Instead  of  trusting  what  God  saith,  With  strength'ning  faith  our  souls  to 
Our  souls  at  dangers  start.  And  courage  from  his  word. 


198  JULY    U. 

IF/io  is  lids  that  cometh  up  from  the  wildeniesSy  leaning 
upon  her  beloved?.... Song  viii.  5. 

Who  !  The  wonder  and  joy  of  angels,  the  envy  of  devils,  the 
contempt  of  the  world,  because  a  miracle  of  grace  ;  upon  whom 
%!iines  the  glory  of  God's  justice,  the  riches  of  mercy,  the  abound- 
ing of  his  love,  and  the  efficacy  of  his  power.  It  is  a  poor  sinner, 
hopeless  and  helpless  in  himself,  coming  up  from  a  dismal,  dreadful, 
dangerous  state,  leaning  upon  one  who  is  mighty  to  save.  Some 
©ver-rate  christians  :  they  paint  their  characters  so  very  strong 
and  perfect,  as  though  they  forgot  that  they  are  in  themselves  no- 
thing but  poor  sinners,  whose  natin-e  is  only  evil  continually :  and 
these  people  also  under-rate  them,  not  considering  what  they  are  in 
Christ,  new  creatures,  perfectly  righteous,  without  spot  of  sin,  in- 
finitely glorious  and  comely  in  God's  sight.  Consider,  1st.  This 
wilderness:  you  are  in  it,  and  will  be  ctmiing  up  out  of  it,  till  you 
get  out  of  the  body:  it  is  your  fallen  nature,  called  flesh  ;  it  is  in- 
habited by  none  but  beasts  of  prey  and  devils  of  destruction  ;  curs- 
ed sins  and  devilish  lusts;  there  is  no  path  in  it  to  life,  only  to 
death  and  damnation.  Though  you  are  out  of  it,  as  to  your  state, 
yet  you  are  really  in  it,  as  to  your  experience;  therefore  you  are 
still  coming  up  from  it.  How?  2d.  Consider  this  posture,  leaning. 
It  implies  weakness,  weariness,  languor,  fainting  ;  yet  aspires  to 
ascend,  to  get  on  and  get  out.  Do  not  you  find  this  exactly  your 
case?  You  are  weary  of  the  wilderness  of  nature  and  sin,  long  to 
get  out  of  it,  yet  find  not  strength  in  yourself  to  ascend.  Bless 
your  soul,  that  you  have  a  beloved  to  lean  upon.  He  is  your  belov- 
ed, if  you  take  him  as  such.  You  will  find  him  the  beloved  of 
your  soul  indeed,  if  you  lean  upon  him.  3d.  What  is  it  to  lean 
upon  Jesus  ?  1  st.  It  is  to  cast  yourself,  the  whole  weight  of  yourself, 
sin  and  misery  upon  him,  as  having  undertaken  to  support  and  sus- 
tain you.  2d.  To  join  or  cleave  to  him  and  associate  with  him,  re- 
fusing all  otlier  props  and  supports  but  him.  "d.  To  rejoice  and 
delight  your  soul  in  him  and  in  the  company  of  him.  4th.  To 
strengthen  yourself  in  him  and  get  strength  from  him  ;  just  as  a 
weak  person  does  by  leaning  upon  his  staff  in  his  journey.  Jesus 
is  all  this  to  the  mind  by  faith.  Well  then  is  he  called  our  belov- 
KD.  What  remains,  but  that  wc  prove  his  love  by  the  faith  of  our 
hearts  ?  So  let  us  glory  of  him,  and  honor  and  serve  him  as  the  be- 
htved  of  our  souls  ;  till  leaning  upon  him  all  our  journey  through 
the  earth,  wc  come  to  enjoy  him  in  heaven. 

I'll  trust,  and  lean,  and  sweetly  sing  I  have  no  strength,  support  or  hope. 
Of  my  beloved  dear;  But  uli.it  from  Christ  doth  spring, 

Tlio'weak,  in  want  of  cv'ry  thing,  Hi-;  love  does  keep  my  spirit  up, 
He  doth  my  spirits  cheer.  While  faith's  kept  on  the  wing.  M. 


JULY    15.  199 

But  the  body  is  ofCJirist,  (or  is  Christ). ...Cot.  ii.  17. 

There  is  not  a  greater  instance  of  the  depravity  of  the  human 
mind,  and  the  corruptness  of  the  judgment,  than  its  seeking  hap- 
piness in  the  shadow  of  things  instead  of  the  substance.  What  i« 
all  created  good  but  tlie  shadow  of  him  who  created  it  ?  Yet  we  are 
prone  to  grasp  at  tfie  shadow  and  seek  to  be  satisfied  with  it,  while 
we  neglect  God  the  substance;  but  all,  like  a  shadow,  eludes  our 
embraces  ;  still  we  are  restless  and  pursuing  :  it  is  just  the  same  in 
spiritual  things:  we  are  prone  to  take  up,  and  rest  satisfied  with  tlic 
shadow  of  things,  without  the  body,  which  is  Christ :  yea,  so  foolish 
are  we,  that  unless  we  are  kept,  even  after  we  have  known  the  sub- 
stance and  fulness  of  Christ,  and  see  that  we  are  complete  in  him, 
we  turn  again  to  trust  in  the  shadow  of  our  own  works  and  duties. 
This  is  awful  !  "But  the  body  is  Christ."  1st.  Jehovah,  Father, 
Son  and  Spirit,  have  put  the  glory  of  every  attribute  and  perfection 
of  the  godhead  in  the  body  of  Christ:  "  In  him  dwelleth  the  ful- 
nes3"....no,  that  is  not  right:  "all  the  fuhiess  of  the  godhead 
bodily.".. ..Col.  ii.  9.  God  the  Father  says,  "  Behold  mine  elect  in 
whom  my  soul  delighteth."....Isa.  xlii.  1.  God's  soul  can  delight  in 
nothing  but  where  his  glory  is.  Again,  "This  is  my  beloved  Son 
in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear  ye 'him."....Matt.  xvii.  5.  God 
cannot  be  well  pleased  with  any  one  who  is  not  like  himself,  perfect 
in  holiness,  righteousness  and  truth  :  these,  not  one  of  all  the 
human  race  is  possessed  of:  therefore,  Ciod  is  so  far  from  being  well 
pleased  with  us,  as  we  are  in  ourselves,  that  he  hates  and  abhors 
us.  But,  2d.  Here  is  our  special  mercy,  God  loves  us,  he  hath 
chosen  us,  and  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  the  body  of 
Christ :  by  Christ's  body  we  are  redeemed  from  all  our  sin^^,  "  For 
he  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree."....l  Pet.  ii.  2  i.  In 
Christ's  righteous  body  we  are  justified  and  sanctified  :  "  \Vc  are 
sanctified  through  the  offering  of  the  body  of  Christ,  once  for  all." 
....Heb.  X.  10.  Yea,  "by  his  one  oflcring  he  hath  for  ever  per- 
fected them  that  arc  sanctified. "....Heb.  x.  14.  Therefore,  3d. 
"  Whereof  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  witness  to  us."....Heb.  x.  15.  This 
is  his  blessed  office,  to  glorify  Christ  to  our  view  and  in  our  hearts. 
The  Father  calls  on  us  to  behold  Christ  and  to  hear  him.  The 
Holy  Spirit  enables  to  this,  and  fills  us  with  all  joy  and  peace  in 
believing  in  the  body  of  Christ.  Here  then  things  arc  brought  to 
one  single  point :  all  our  righteousness,  holiness,  pieace,  comfort 
and  joy,  are  in  the  body  of  Christ.  Are  God  and  we  agreed  ?  Has 
God  put  all  his  glory  there  ?  Then  let  us  seek  all  our  happiness 
there. 

O,  my  friends,  let  us  remember.  Each  believer  is  bis  member, 

That  Jesus  is  our  loving  head  ;  And  shall  on  sin  and  satau  tread.    M. 


■200  JULY    16. 

Adam  begat  a  son  in  Jiis  own  likeness,  after  his  image.... 
Gen.  V.  3. 

Not  in  the  image  of  God,  in  which  Adam  was  created,  but  after 
the  likeness  of  himself,  an  apostate  spirit,  fallen  from  God  into  all 
the  cursed,  proud,  Avrathful  tempers  of  a  wicked  devil,  and  all  the 
vile,  filthy  lusts  of  a  brute  beast.  Awful  difference  between  God's 
creation  and  man's  pro-creation  !  Where  can  we  turn  our  eyes  but 
we  see  the  dreadful  eff'ects  of  it  ?  The  Holy  Ghost  hath  left  this 
truth  upon  record  for  our  instruction.  Consider,  1st.  That  we  are 
begotten  sinners,  not  created  such  by  God.  David  confessed 
this:  '*  Behold  I  was  shapcn  in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my  mother 
conceive  me. "....Psalm  li.  5.  He  does  not  charge  his  sinful  nature 
to  God,  and  impiously  demand,  v/hy  hast  thou  made  me  thus? 
Ever  beware  of  such  doctrines  which  have  the  least  tendency  to 
make  a  holy  God  the  author  of  sin.  2d.  See  whence  you  sprung : 
boast  not  of  your  high  birth  and  noble  pedigree:  you  are  born  a  sin- 
ner, under  wrath  and  curse,  and  must  shortly  turn  to  ignoble  dust : 
"  Be  clothed  with  humility."  3d.  Trace  the  filthy  streams  up  to  the 
corrupt  fountain  :  look  not  only  at  your  sins,  but  consider  your  sin- 
ful nature  also:  these  are  only  the  fruits  ;  that  the  root  from  whence 
they  sprung,  says  our  Lord,  "  that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh,  is 
flesh. "....John  iii.  6.  Earthly,  sensual,  and  devilish.  I  know,  says 
Paul,  in  my  flesh  or  fallen  nature  dwells  no  good  thing....Rom. 
vii.  18.  The  flesh  is  part  of  you  :  never  expect  the  old  man  to  be 
exchanged  into  a  new  one,  or  flesh  into  Spirit :  be  content  to  leave 
it  as  you  find  it,  an  enemy  to  the  Spirit :  treat  it  as  such  :  crucify 
its  lusts  :  resist  its  motions  :  subdue  its  desires  :  put  off"  the  old 
man  f^om  day  to  day.  4th.  View  the  glorious  method  God  has 
taken  for  your  recovery  from  your  fallen  state  :  O  love  and  adore 
him  for  it !  Does  he  repair,  alter,  and  amend  what  is  amiss  in  the 
old  creation?  No;  this  very  notion  is  a  species  of  deism:  but  by  a 
new  creation,  making  one  nkw  MAN....Eph.  ii.  15.  Even  the  Lord 
from  heaven  becomes  the  Son  of  man,  that  we  may  be  the  sons  of 
God  IN  him.  The  Spirit  begets  us  again  into  him:  we  are  new 
creatures  in  him  :  thus  we  are  born  again  into  a  new  creation  :  here 
we  live  holy  and  happy,  in  perfect  acceptance  with  God,  and  enjoy 
fellowship  in  his  love  as  our  heavenly  Father.  As  we  see  our  own 
vileness,  we  are  commanded  to  put  on  this  nkw  man  by  faith,  day 
by  day  ;  and  beholding  his  glory,  we  are  changed  into  his  image 
from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord....2  Cor.  iii.  18. 

Born  into  Christ  tlie  second  man,  Hence  holy  strife  in  us  began. 

We  likve  a  iiutuie  new  ;  Which  proves  us  christians  true.     M, 


JULY  17.  20  i 

Of  liihom  I  avl  ch  itf. ...  1  Tim .  i .  15. 

What  a  mighty  change  does  grace  make  \  Paal  was  once  irt 
his  own  eyes  the  chief  of  saints.  If  but  two  went  to  heaven,  he  had 
no  doubt  but  he  should  be  one.  Now  he  is  really  an  eminent  saint 
in  Christ,  he  confesses  himself  the  chief  of  sinners.  Why  so? 
Did  he  love  sin,  lie  down  and  wallow  in  sin,  and  glory  in  sin  ?  No, 
far  from  it ;  he  was  now  saved  from  all  his  sins  :  but  he  now  sees 
the  exceeding  preciousness  of  Christ  his  Saviour;  the  exceeding  sin- 
fulness of  sin,  which  dwelt  in  him ;  and  the  infinite  holiness,  spiritu- 
ahty,  and  perfection  of  the  law  of  God:  therefore  he  makes  this  pub- 
lic declaration  ;  not  I  have  been,  but  I  now  am  the  chief  of  sinners. 
He  as  it  were  stands  forth  and  challenges  the  whole  race  of  sinners, 
and  says,  I  will  give  place  to  no  one  :  of  all  of  you  I  will  be  the  first 
rate,  and  stand  foremost  in  the  rank.  But  is  not  this  glorying  in  sin, 
"which  was  his  shame  ?  Self-righteous  hearts  think  so;  they  cannot 
come  into  it.  When  any  sinner  adopts  Paul's  language,  and  says, 
"of  sinners  I  am  chief,"  they  ignorantly  reply,  there  can  be  but  one 
chief.  Who  then  is  that  one  ?  Why  every  one  who  drinks  into  the 
same  spirit  with  Paul,  has  the  same  views  of  himself  which  he  had. 
For,  1st.  They  see  sin,  not  only  in  its  fruits,  but  as  a  root  ;  not  only 
its  actions,  but  as  a  nature  in  which  dwells  no  good  thing.  Such  feel 
in  their  nature  the  vile  lusts  of  the  beast  and  the  cursed  tempers  of 
satan.  Though  sin  has  not  the  dominion  over  them,  yet  sin  dwells 
in  them.  When  they  look  at  their  past  sinful  actions,  they  take  into 
view  their  present  sinful  nature  also,  and  therefore  rate  themselves  ac- 
cording to  their  views  of  themselves  :  they  have  done  with  self-admi- 
ration and  self-justification.  I  am  the  chief  of  sinners  :  I  sec  my- 
self: I  think  no  one  has  so  wicked  a  heart  and  so  bad  a  nature  as  I 
have.  2d.  Such  from  their  hearts  give  glory  to  the  holy,  blessed  tri- 
nity. O  how  is  God  the  Father  glorified  for  his  everlasting  love  to 
such  sinners  !  How  is  God  the  Son's  grace  exalted  in  dying  to  save 
them,  living  to  fulfil  the  law  for  them  1  How  is  the  Holy  Spirit's  kind- 
ness magnified,  in  convincing  them  of  sin,  bringing  them  to  Christ 
to  be  saved  from  sin,  and  sanctifying  them,  by  the  faith  of  Christ, 
over  the  power  of  sin  !  3d.  Such,  all  such,  and  none  but  such,  do 
cordially  embrace  and  comfortably  live  upon  this  faithful  saying  and 
worthy  of  all  acceptation  (with  the  deepest  humility  and  most  inflam- 
ed joy)  "  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  :"  there- 
fore, as  they  are  not  under  the  power  of  sin,  so  they  are  delivered 
from  the  pride  of  their  own  righteousness.  A  sinner's  righteous- 
ness! They  are  not  ashamed  that  they  should  ever  be  so  arrogant 
and  ignorant  to  talk  of  it,  trust  in  it,  or  expect  to  be  justiiied  by  it, 
in  whole  or  in  part. 
Vol.  H.  B  b 


iOi  JULY   IS. 

Let  the  lying  lips  be  put  to  silence i  which  speak  grievous 
things  proudly  and  contemptuously  against  the  righ- 
teous....Psalm  xxxi.  18. 

The  language  of  natural  reason  is,  if  I  am  righteous  God  will 
love  me.  It  is  the  language  of  faith,  though  I  am  a  sinner  yet  God 
loves  me ;  and  because  he  loves  me,  therefore  he  makes  me  righ- 
teous. How  ?  The  pen  of  inspiration  ansAvers  :  David  describing 
the  character  of  a  sinner,  renewed  by  grace  and  made  meet  to  dwell 
■with  God,  saith,  "He  shall  receive  righteousness  from  the  God 
of  his  salvation. "....Psalm  xxiv.  5.  Here  we  see  plainly,  that  righ- 
teousness is  a  gift;  that  it  is  received,  not  worked  out  by  the  sinner  ; 
that  it  is  given  by  the  God  of  our  salvation  ;  it  is  the  glorious  robe  our 
elder  brother,  Jesus,  wrought  out  for  us,  our  heavenly  Father  im- 
putes to  us  and  puts  upon  us.  God  the  Holy  Spirit  enables  us  by 
faith  to  receive  it,  rejoice  in  it,  and  boast  of  it  ;  for,  we  see  our- 
selves made  infinitely  and  everlastingly  righteous  in  it.  Here  ob- 
serve, the  gift  of  righteousness,  to  make  poor  sinners  righteous,  is 
an  Old  Testanient  doctrine.  Lord  establish  our  hearts  in  this  fun- 
damental truth  of  thy  blessed  Avord.  Jesus,  master,  enable  us  to 
take  comfort  in  thy  one  righteousness,  and  to  give  thee  the  glory  of 
this  inestimable  blessing. 

Is  it  so,  that  thou  art  thus  righteous  in  God's  sight?  Then  thou 
hast  righteous  hopes,  righteous  fears,  righteous  joys,  a  righteous 
heart,  and  a  holy  life :  yea,  and  proud  contemptuous  foes  too.  Their 
1/ing  lips  will  be  openetl  against  thee  :  the  adversary  of  all  truth 
w  ill  bring  lying  accusations  against  the  truth  thou  believest,  as  sure 
as  he  brought  them  against  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  who  is  the 
TRUTH.  Stirred  up  by  him,  marvel  not  if  men  charge  thee  with 
being  an  Antinoniian,  an  enemy  to  all  righteousness;  that  they  say 
grievous  things  of  thee  ;  speak  proudly  against  thy  faith  ;  contemp- 
tuously sneer  at  thy  confidence  ;  saying,  liow  absurd  the  notion,  that 
thou,  who  art  a  miserable  sinner  in  thyself,  should  yet  be  perfectly 
righteous  in  Christ  f  And,  in  opposition  to  Christ's  glorious  righ- 
teousness, they  will  set  up  the  sinner's  filthy  rags,  and  assert  that 
we  are  to  be  justified  first  or  last,  or  somehow,  by  what  we  do. 
What  is  thy  duty  here?  Imitate  David:  give  thyself  unto  prayer: 
<'  Let  the  lying  lips  be  put  to  silence."  How  ?  By  the  grace  of  Jesus 
teaching  thee  to  deny  "  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  to 
live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  in  this  present  world."  So  is 
the  will  of  God,  that  with  well  doing  ye  may  put  to  silence  the 
ignorance  of  foolish  men....l  Pet.  ii.  15.  "  We  are  the  circumcision, 
which  worship  God  in  the  Spirit,  and  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus,  and 
have  no  confidence  in  the  ncsh."....Phil.  iii.  3.  • 


JULY    19.  203 

Save  yourselves  from  this  untoward  generation. ...Acts 
ii.  40. 

Some,  from  a  warm  zeal  for  free-will  and  a  strong  opposition 
to  salvation  by  grace,  have  been  weak  enough  to  cite  this  passage 
to  prove,  that  we  have  a  hand  in  our  own  salvation:  because  we  are 
here  called  upon  to  save  ourselves.  They  might  Avith  equal  propri- 
ety have  inferred,  that  we  are  here  exhorted  to  new  create  ourselves. 
But  there  is  a  sense,  in  Avhich  this  exhortation  is  peculiarly  applica- 
ble to  every  saved  sinner,  every  justified  believer  in  Christ.  For 
the  honor  and  glory  of  our  Saviour,  and  for  the  peace  and  comfort 
of  our  souls,  let  us  attend  to  it.  Wisdom  informs  us,  "  There  is  a 
generation  that  are  pure  in  their  own  eyes,  and  yet  is  not  washed 
from  their  filthiness.  O  how  lofty  are  their  eyes  !  And  their  eye- 
lids arc  lifted  up."....Prov.  xxx.  12,  13.  Now  these  are  at  enmity 
against  "that  seed  that  serve  the  Lord^  and  are  counted  to  him 
for  a  generation.".. ..Psalm  xxii.  30.  It  was  so  from  the  beginning  ; 
it  is  so  now;  it  ever  will  be  so,  as  long  as  two  seeds  or  generations 
are  in  the  earth  :  therefore,  we  are  called  upon  to  save  ourselves 
from  this  generation,  for  it  is  untoward.  The  men  of  this  genera- 
tion may  have  fine  parts,  profound  learning,  and  shining  abilities ; 
they  may  occupy  high  stations  in  church  and  state  :  yet  they  are 
perverse  ;  they  deride  the  glorious  gospel  ;  set  at  nought  the  pre- 
cious Saviour  ;  his  perfect  atonement  and  one  righteousness,  they 
see  no  need  of;  they  ridicule  the  operations  of  his  Spirit  and  call 
all  who  pretend  to  them,  enthusiasts.  Glad  are  they,  when  they 
can  shew  the  untowardness  of  their  nature  and  the  vexatious  dispo- 
sition of  their  spirits  againt  them.  From  such,  O  christian,  save 
yourself.  How  ?  Refrain  their  company,  escape  their  deistical  no- 
tions, abhor  their  proud,  free-will,  self-righteous  tenets  ;  defile  not 
yourself  by  reading  their  works  ;  it  is  like  tryuig  the  effects  of  poi- 
son upon  a  healthy  body.  Separate  from  them  ;  come  out  from 
among  them  :  so  shall  you  save  yourselvesfrom partaking  of  theirevils 
and  judgments.  Know  your  dear  Lord's  enemies  and  save  your- 
selves from  them.  Know  his  friends  and  associate  with  them.  Bless 
your  precious  Lord  for  saving  you  from  their  untoward  state  :  it-was 
of  his  unmerited  mercy  and  distinguisJiiug  grace.  O,  when  you 
read  of  them  and  see  them,  reflect,  such  I  was  once  who  made  me 
to  differ  ?  Thus  you  will  get  good  by  them^  if  it  sinks  your  soul  in 
humility  and  causes  you  to  exalt  the  riches  of  God's  grace  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

Dangers  beset  on  every  side,  Born  from  above  to  walk  with  thee 

From  men  profane,  and  sons  of  pride,  By  faith  that  I  may  holy  be  : 

O  keep  me  Lord,  by  grace  divine,  Then  let  it  be  my  constant  care, 

And  make  me  know  I'm  ever  thine.  Of  men  untoward  to  bev.-are.         M- 


^204  JULY  30. 

IVisdom  is  the  principal  thing;  therefore  get  xcisdom.:.. 
Prov.  iv.  7. 

In  Joseph's  visions,  the  sun,  moon  and  stars  made  obedience 
to  him,  and  all  the  sheaves  boued  to  his  sheaf.. ..Gen.  iii.  7.  So 
Avisdom  is  honored  and  exalted  above  and  beyond  every  thing  beside. 
This  ^visdom  is  the  Son  of  God,  "  to  whom  every  knee  shall  bow." 
....Phil.  ii.  10.  Jesus,  under  the  character  of  wisdom,  is  said  to  cry, 
to  utter  her  voice. ...behold  I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  unto  you. ...and 
it  is  said  to  enter  into  the  heart... .Prov.  i.  20...2o.  and  ii.  10.  All 
this  can  be  applied  to  none  other  but  Christ,  who  is  of  God  "made 
iinto  us  WISDOM."....!  Cor.  i.  30.  He  cries  after  us  miserable  sin- 
ners ;  he  utters  his  voice  of  love  to  us  ;  he  pours  out  his  Spirit  upon 
lis  ;  he  enters  into  our  hearts  and  dwells  there  by  faith.  This  truly 
is  the  principal  thing  :  this,  infinitely  above  all  others,  demands  thie 
whole  of  our  attention,  labour  and  diligence.  Get  what  we  may, 
yet  without  this  we  are  not  wise;  we  cannot  be  happy;  we  shall  be 
only  foolish,  deluded  and  miserable :  there  will  always  be  a  va- 
cuum in  the  heart,  and  a  cry,  what  lack  I  yet?  Get  wisdom. 
What !  Get  an  interest  in  Christ  ?  What  can  we  poor,  miser- 
able sinners  do  to  get  that?  It  is  a  foolish  phrase:  it  is  un- 
scriptural  advice.  Solomon  reproves  it,  when  he  asks,  "Where« 
fore  is  there  a  price  in  the  hand  of  a  fool  to  get  wisdom,  seeing 
he  has  no  heart  to  it?.. ..Prov.  xvii.  16.  As  though  he  had  said, 
none  but  a  fool  thinks  his  own  works  and  doings  the  price  of  wis- 
dom, and  that  by  these  he  is  to  purchase  an  interest  in  Christ  and 
a  title  to  his  kingdom.  Such  have  no  understanding  of  the  grace 
of  Christ,  no  real  love  of  heart  to  Christ.  He  cries,  "  Come  with- 
out money  and  without  price.".... Isa.  Iv.  1.  This  is  the  way  to  buy 
and  to  get  wisdom.  Seek  to  enjoy  the  knowledge  of  interest  in 
Christ  ;  labour  after  more  and  more  experience  of  his  grace,  and 
fellowship  with  him  in  your  souls.  Be  not  satisfied,  not  a  day  nor 
an  hour  without  tasting  his  sweetness  and  feeling  his  precieusness. 
O  Jesu,  I  am  foolish,  be  thou  my  wisdom  ;  I  am  sin,  be  thou  my 
righteousness  ;  I  am  poor  and  miserable,  be  thou  my  riches  and  my 
consolation ;  I  have  many  wants  to  be  supplied,  many  miseries  to  be 
relieved,  many  corruptions  to  be  subdued,  many  graces  to  b© 
strengthened,  many  enemies  to  be  conquered  :  O,  may  I  possess 
thee  in  all  thy  fulness  to  night  and  for  ever.  This  is  the  principal 
thing,  the  one  thing  needful :  "Let  the  ward  of  Christ  dwell  in  you, 
richly  in  all  wisdom. "....Col,  iii.  16. 

Jcsu,  thou  my  wisdom  art.  What  are  all  things  kerc  belew  ? 

Make  and  keep  me  wise  of  heart :  Foolish  toys  and  empty  show  : 

Thee  to  prize  above  all  things.  May  I  live  above  with  thee, 

Who  to  me  salvation  brings.  And  thy  glory  daily  sc«.  M. 


JULY  21.  ros 

Kiss  tfie  Son....Psabn  ii.  12. 

A  SHORT  command  :  for  brevity,  like  the  poesy  of  a  ring;  but; 
comprehensive,  like  the  book  of  God;  for  it  compriseth  all  that  the 
scriptures  require  of  us  and  promise  to  us:  it  means  that  we  live 
in  holy  love  and  walk  in  sweet  friendship  with  the  Son  of  God.  For, 
1st.  A  kiss  is  a  token  of  reconciliation.  Kiss  and  be  friends  is  a  com- 
mon proverb.  "  The  kisses  of  an  enemy  are  deceitful. "....Prov. 
xxvii.  6.  Christ  experienced  this  by  the  kiss  of  Judas.  Though 
sinners  against  Christ,  yet  he  loved  us  :  though  enemies  to  him,  yet 
he  died  for  us.  The  belief  of  this  love  slays  our  enmity  :  the  breash 
between  God  and  us  is  made  up  :  W'c  are  reconciled  to  God,  "  and 
have  peace  with  him  through  Jesus  Christ.".... Rom.  v.  1.  How 
did  reconciling  grace  operate  upon  the  heart  of  that  vile  sinner, 
Mary;  she  kissed  her  Lord's  feet,  while  with  tears  of  penitential 
sorrow  she  waslied  them. "....Luke  vii.  38.  O,  give  the  reconciling 
Son  of  God  this  love-token  of  your  reconciled  hearts.  2d.  A  kiss 
denotes  congratulation.  When  Samuel  anointed  Saul,  he  kissed 
him  and  said,  "  Is  it  not  because  the  Lord  hath  anointed  thee  to 
be  captain  over  his  inheritance  ?"....!  Sam.  x.  I.  Thus  congratulate 
Christ,  "  who  is  the  captain  of  our  salvation. "....Heb.  ii.  10.  3d. 
It  is  a  salute  of  joy.  By  a  kiss  we  welcome  a  dear  friend  on  return 
from  a  long  journey  or  dangerous  voyage.  What  a  journey  did 
Christ  take  ?  What  a  voyage  did  he  embark  in  for  us  ?  After  all  his 
agonies  and  sorrows  for  our  salvation,  he  is  arrived  at  his  kingdom 
and  glory  :  and  shall  we  not  welcome  and  salute  him  with  a  kiss  of 
joy  on  it  ?  4th.  It  is  a  token  of  great  honor.  Not  every  one  may 
presume  to  kiss  the  hand  of  an  earthly  monarch;  some  are  permit- 
ted, on  being  appointed  to  some  place  under  him,  Sec.  Behold,  "  we 
are  made  kings  and  priests  unto  God,  by  Jesus  Christ.".. ..Rev.  1.  6. 
What  an  honor  to  kiss  the  King  of  kings  !  Lastly,  it  is  a  love-token 
of  consanguinity.  Loving  relatives  express  their  mutual  affection 
by  a  kiss.  Is  Christ  the  loving  bridegroom  of  our  souls?  Let  us 
arise,  shake  ourselves  from  the  dust,  and  stir  up  our  hearts  to  give 
liim  every  possible  token  of  love  and  affection.  May  we  live  nearer 
to  him,  enjoy  more  of  him,  and  be  indulged  with  more  spiritual 
communion  with  him.  May  our  souls  ardently  long  to  be  with  him, 
that  -with  rapture  we  may  kiss  those  dear  feet  that  travelled  and 
were  nailed  to  the  cross  for  us  ;  those  blessed  hands  which  were 
stretched  out  in  prayer  and  nailed  to  the  accursed  tree,  and  bless 
that  loving  heart  which  was  pierced  for  our  sins  and  salvation. 

Wrth  sweet  affection  let  us  kiss  The  more  we  think  upon  Christ's  love. 

The  Son  of  God,  our  Lord,  While  in  this  vale  of  tears ; 

And  own  it  as  our  highest  bliss,  The  more  our  hearts  will  soar  above, 

To  live  upon  his  word.  And  banish  all  our  fears. 


206  JULY  22. 

B}/  the  rcord  of  trullu,  by  the  poicer  of  God,  bjj  the  armour 
of  righteousness  on  the  ri<;ht  hand  and  on  the  left.... 
2Cor.\].7. 

AVhat  sign  shcwest  thou  ?  Shew  us  a  miracle,  and  we  will 
believe  you  are  inspired,  says  an  evil  and  adulterous  {generation.  A 
sign  and  a  miracle !  Why,  every  regenerate  soul  is  both  a  sign  and 
a  wonder  to  carnal  men :  they  are  born  from  above ;  they  live  above  ; 
their  views,  end  and  aims,  are  to  things  above  ;  they  study  to  ap- 
prove themselves  to  God,  who  is  above.  These  words,  though 
peculiarly  applicable  to  the  ministers  of  Chfist,  yet  are  true  also 
of  every  disciple  of  Christ :  he  studies  to  approve  himself,  1st.  By 
the  word  of  truth.  What  is  that  ?  Where  is  that  to  be  found  ?  In 
Clod's  book,  the  Bible.  O,  the  Bible!  Say  some  weak  heads  and 
deceived  hearts,  the  letter  of  scripture  is  not  God's  word.  Find  a 
surer  testimony  of  God  and  from  God,  if  you  can :  Ave  will  be  con- 
tent to  fix  our  faith  upon  this  word  of  truth,  for  it  testifies  of  our 
beloved,  who  is  the  truth:  he  therefore  bids  us  "  search  the 
scriptures,"  and  we  find  them  lively  oracles  to  our  souls.  As  we 
find  Christ  in  the  word  of  truth,  we  live  upon  him  according  to  the 
word  of  truth,  and  desire  to  frame  our  whol«  conduct  by  the  word 
of  truth  :  its  doctrines  we  submit  to. ...its  threatenings  we  fear.. ..its 
precepts  we  obey.  3d.  "  By  the  power  of  God,"  that  accompanies 
the  word  of  truth  to  our  hearts ;  causes  it  to  be  believed  in  our  hearts  ; 
brings  joy  and  peace  to  our  hearts  in  believing  the  woi-d;  and 
fills  our  souls  with  a  hope  full  of  immortality  promised  in  the  word  : 
it  is  reserved  for  us,  and  we  are  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through 
faith  unto  salvation,  according  to  the  word....l  Pet.  i.  5.  3d.  "  By 
the  armour  of  righteousness  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left  :" 
What  is  this  ?  Not  a  fancied  righteousness  of  our  own  :  that  is  at 
best  but  filthy  rags  ;  a  wretched  armour,  either  on  the  right  hand 
or  left  ;  none  but  fools  would  appear  in  such  an  armour;  those  who 
do  are  the  sport  of  fools,  and  contempt  of  devils.  Not  an  inherent 
righteousness  which  some  talk  of :  what  is  within  cannot  be  an  ar- 
mour for  without,  on  cither  hand.  This  righteousness  has  ne'ver 
fulfilled  the  law  of  God,  therefore  cannot  defend  from  the  face  of 
enemies  ;  but  the  perfect,  spotless  righteousness  of  the  Son  of 
God  has:  therefore,  that  can  defend  from  every  assault  and  every 
accusation  from  every  quarter  on  either  side.  This  is  the  cry  of 
faith ;  this  the  armour  of  the  soul,  "  that  I  may  be  found  in  Christ, 
not  having  on  my  own  righteousness,  which  is  of  the  law,  but  that 
which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ,  the  righteousness  which  is  of 
(iod  by  faith. "....Phil.  iii.  9.  Take  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  the 
word  of  God  in  one  hand,  and  the  shield  of  faith,  the  righteousness 
©f  the  Son  of  C;od  in  the  other,  and  what  shall  stand  against  you  ? 


JULY  23,  207 

Much  more  then,  being  noio  justified  bi)  his  blood,  ice  shall 
be  saved  from  ivrath  through  him. ...Rom.  v.  9. 

All  heresies  are  founded  in  pride  and  spring  from  ignorance 
and  unbelief  of  the  Lord's  word  :  some  strike  at  the  glory  of  the 
free  grace  of  God  :  others  at  the  divinity  of  the  Son  of  God  :  others 
at  his  atonement  and  righteousness,  whereby  our  sins  are  pardoned, 
our  persons  justified,  and  final  perseverance  to  eternal  glory  is  se- 
cured to  every  believer.  Paul,  under  the  influence  of  that  Spirit, 
who  foresaw  every  heresy  which  would  spring  up,  pester  the  church, 
dishonor  Christ  and  distress  his  members,  here  sits  himself  against 
that  pernicious  heresy,  that  souls  once  justified  and  pardoned  by  the 
blood  of  Christ  may  after  perish  under  the  wrath  of  God.  Isl. 
What  is  meant  by  being  justified  by  the  blood  of  Christ  ?  Just  the 
reverse  of  being  condemned  for  sin  by  the  law  ;  for  his  blood  takes 
away  sin,  which  is  the  cause  of  condemnation.  Christ's  blood  shed 
at  his  death  was  the  finishing  stroke,  and  includes  his  whole  work  as 
our  Saviour  :  he  made  that  full  satisfaction  to  law  and  justice,  for 
which  sinners  are  freed  from  condenmation  by  the  one  and  pro- 
nounced just  by  the  other  :  they  are  once  for  all  and  for  ever  justified 
in  God's  sight :  for  though  God  sees  sin  in  them,  yet  they  are  for 
ever  justified  from  it  in  his  beloved  Son.  2d.  Who  are  thus  justi- 
fied ?  Sinners  who  believe  on  the  Son  of  God,  whether  they  have  the 
sense  and  comfort  of  it  in  their  own  consciences  or  not :  for  they  now 
receive  the  atonement  of  Christ  into  their  hearts  by  faith.  Faith 
urges  them  to  plead  and  not  rest  satisfied  till  they  find  the  peace  of 
God  in  their  consciences,  flowing  from  justification  in  Christ's  blood. 
But,  Sd.  May  not  such  perish  at  last  under  the  wrath  of  God  ?  No, 
says  Paul,  that  is  impossible.  Much  more,  mind  those  precious 
words,  "being  now  justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  saved, "....as 
though  he  had  said,  what,  did  the  Son  of  God  shed  his  blood  in 
vain  ?  Has  he  called  us  and  justified  us  before  God  through  faith  in 
his  blood  ?  And  has  he  now  no  love  to  us,  nor  care  for  us  ?  Will  he 
after  all  this  grace  leave  us  to  perish  under  w  rath  ?  No  :  as  we  arc 
actually  justified  by  his  blood,  we  shall  be  eternally  saved  from  w  rath 
through  him:  his  precious  blood  can  never  loose  its  efficacy;  his 
gracious  heart  never  abate  in  love  ;  his  almighty  arm  can  never  lose 
its  power.  As  Christ  died  to  redeem  from  all  sin,  he  lives  to  save 
from  all  wrath  :  this  is  the  faith  of  God's  elect :  this  faith  works  by 
love  of  the  truth,  and  in  rejecting  all  self-righteous  errors  ;  and  as 
the  soul  is  comforted  by  this  love,  love  inspires  to  all  cheerful  obedi- 
ence. 

When  Jesus  on  the  cross  did  bleed,       And  they  in  him  were  justify'd. 

He  represented  all  his  seed.  And  this  by  faith's  to  them  apjilv  'd.  M. 


208  JULY   21. 

Thai  in  all  (kings  Christ  might  have  the  pre-eminence.... 
Col.  i.  18. 

We  cannot  be  happy  till  this  truth  is  brought  into  the  experi- 
ence of  our  hearts.  The  regenerate  soul  is  ever  at  war  with  the  flesh, 
for  it  opposes  the  pre-eminence  of  Christ ;  and  is  also  at  war  against 
the  proud  notions  of  profane  as  well  as  self-righteous  men,  who  re- 
ject Christ  our  precious  head,  from  having  the  pre-eminence  in 
the  salvation  of  the  body  :  they  put  him  in  subordination  in  many 
things,  instead  of  giving  him  the  pre-eminence  in  all  things. 
When  our  Lord  says,  "  My  Father  worketh  hitherto,  and  I  work,".... 
John  V.  17. ...some  poor  sinners  become  bold  intruders,  and  add, 
"  Lo,  we  work  also,  and  our  works  must  have  some  part  in  our  sal- 
vation." Well,  it  will  be  so  till  the  law  of  works,  which  has  the 
pre-eminence  in  their  hearts,  kills  their  legal  hopes  and  self-righte- 
ous confidence.  Soul,  can  you  say  with  Paul  ?  "  I  through  the  law, 
am  dead  to  the  law. "....Gal.  ii.  19.  Are  you  married  to  Christ  by 
faith  ?  Then  you  have  seen  that  you  are  totally  destroyed  in  the  old 
creation ;  and  are  a  mere  cypher,  an  insignificant  nothing  in  the 
work  of  a  new"  creation.  Here  Christ  is  all  in  all.  As  a  chaste 
and  loving  bride,  you  will  glory  in  and  exalt  your  beloved  bride- 
groom above  all  things.  1st.  You  will  give  him  the  pre-eminence 
in  your  heart.  It  is  said  of  the  late  king  George,  when  he  chose 
to  keep  his  nobles  at  a  distance,  he  used  to  say,  "the  king  is  at  home 
to-day:"  so  whenever  any  bold  intruders  from  the  world,  the  flesh, 
or  the  devil,  solicit  admittance,  you  will  say,  "  King  Jesus  is  on  his 
throne  to-day :"  he  has  the  pre-eminence  within:  my  affections  are 
set  on  him  :  there  is  no  room  for  you.  2d.  Of  your  hopes.  Does 
salan  accuse  ?  We  overcome  satan  by  the  blood  of  the  l^amb,  and 
by  our  testimony  of  Jesus.. ..Rev.  xii.  II.  Does  the  law  condemn? 
"Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a 
curse  for  us."....Gal.  iii.  13.  Is  conscience  distressed?  "His  blood 
sprinkles  our  hearts  from  an  evil  conscience."....Heb.  x.  22.  His 
work  "makes  perfect,  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience.".. ..Heb. 
ix.  9.  "  His  blood  purges  our  conscience  from  dead  works,  to 
serve  the  living  God.".... Heb.  ix.  14.  Thus  Christ  has  the  pre-emi- 
nence in  all  things  pertaining  to  our  conscience  and  our  hopes  :  for 
we  arc  fully  assured,  "  God  iiath  made  us  accepted  in  the  beloved.".... 
Eph.  i.  6.  3d.  In  our  lives.  We  are  not  urider  the  law,  therefore 
■we  have  done  with  all  legal  striving  to  fulfil  it,  that  we  may  be  jus- 
tified by  and  saved  for  what  we  do:  but  we  are  under  the  grace  of 
Christ ;  this  lias  the  pre-eminence  over  our  walk  ;  we  live  under  the 
influence  of  lovt;   wc  walk  with  Christ's  salvation  in  our  hearts. 


JULY  2S*  20? 

Not  by  zvorks  of  righteousness  zvhich  ive  have  done,  but 
according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  ivashing  of 
regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. ...Tit. 
iii.  5. 
"  Shew  us  a  miracle  and  we  will  believe  you  are  inspired,  say- 
carnal  men.  We  can,  but  they  have  not  eyes  to  see  it.  Blessed  be 
God,  miracles  are  not  ceased :  the  Lord  works  miracles  of  grace 
daily  :  every  regenerate  sinner  is  a  miracle  of  God  the  Father's 
mercy,  of  God  the  Son's  grace,  and  of  God  the  Holy  Spirit's  power: 
his  humble  language  proclaims  it;  I  stand  forth  and  declare,  that  I 
was  a  vile  sinner,  condemned  by  the  law  of  God,  and  justly  deserving 
the  damnation  of  hell,  yet  full  of  the  pride  of  my  own  works  and 
confident  of  salvation  by  my  own  righteousness  ;  but  God,  by  an  act 
of  sovereign  mercy,  has  saved  me  from  the  power  of  sin  and  a  vain, 
confident  hope  in  my  own  righteousness.  "Not  by  works  which  we 
have  done."  Our  works  are  out  of  the  question  ;  for  all  boasting  is 
excluded:  yet  the  notion  of  absolute  mercy  in  God  to  any  sinner, 
without  respect  to  works  of  righteousness  performed  by  man  to  fulfil 
the  law  of  God,  is  absurd  and  unscriptural ;  it  is  to  be  rejected  as 
contrary  to  the  attributes  and  perfections  of  the  Godhead :  therefore, 
we  are  saved  by  mercy,  according  to  works  of  righteousness ;  but 
not  which  we  have  done.  No  :  but  what  Jesus  our  law-fulfilling 
head  hath  done  for  us:  he  hath  fully  obeyed  the  commands  of  the 
holy  law,  perfectly  satisfied  the  demands  of  strict  justice;  hence  the 
mercy  of  the  Holy  Spirit  flows  to  us.  Jesus  saves  us  from  the  curse 
of  the  law  and  the  wrath  of  justice:  the  Spirit  saves  us  from  the 
blindness  of  our  understanding,  the  rebellion  of  our  will,  and  the 
carnality  of  our  affections.  Pause,  O  my  soul  I  Fall  down  and  adore 
his  rich  mercy,  that  snatched  thee  from  hell  and  saved  thee  to  hea- 
ven: yes,  into  the  heaven  of  the  love  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Spirit. 
My  soul  is  formed  for  it:  I  have  suitable  dispositions  to  it.  How  ? 
"  By  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
As  water  separates  the  filth  from  the  thing  washed  and  makes  it  clean, 
so  the  Spirit  separates  us  from  the  love  of  sin,  our  pride,  self-righte- 
ousness and  aversion  to  Christ  and  his  salvation  ;  begetting  us  again 
from  our  old  natural  false  hope,  to  a  new  and  lively  hope  of  salvation 
by  the  death  and  resurrection  of  Jesus,  by  the  word  through  faith  ; 
renewing  us  hereby  in  the  Spirit  of  our  mind,  making  us  new  crea- 
tures in  Christ.  So  that  salvation  is  not  by  reforming  and  amending 
our  old  nature ;  that  is  left  just  as  it  was:  but  begetting  us  anew  in 
Christ,  that  we  might  live  and  walk  in  him  to  the  glory  of  God. 
Our  old  nature  is  subjected  to  grace :  "  Christ  is  in  us  the  hope  of 
glory."....Col.  i.  27. 

Vol.  n.  C  c 


210  JULY  26. 

This  is  his  commandment^  that  ice  should  believe  on  the 
name  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  love  o?ie  another.... 
iJohn  iii.  23. 
Wh'-:n  a  weary  traveller  has  lost  his  way,  what  joy  must  the 
sight  of  a  directory  afford  him  ?  How  must  his  joy  be  increased,  if  it 
informs  him  he  is  near  a  dear  friend's  house,  who  will  kindly  receive 
him  ?  Weary  pilgrim,  look  at  this  directory  and  rejoice  :  you  are 
near  a  dear  friend,  who  will  kindly  receive  and  heartily  welcome  you. 
Obey  this  command,  and  enjoy  the  conifort.  Consider,  1st.  Who 
commands.  (iod  the  Father,  of  heaven  ;  that  God  against  whom 
you  have  sinned,  and  by  sin  are  become  miserable :  he  would  hare 
you  be  both  holy  and  happy  ;  you  can  be  neither  without  believing: 
both  are  enjoyed  in  faith.  2d.  The  command:  BtuiEvE.  By  the 
ten  commandments  you  are  condemned  ;  you  are  brought  in  guilty 
by  them  ;  the  law  ministers  nothing  but  wrath  and  condemnation. 
God  be  merciful  to  us  miserable  sinners  :  God  shews  us  mercy.  O, 
the  love  and  grace  of  the  law-gi\  er !  He  here  gives  us  one  command, 
which  ministers  life  and  salvation  to  our  guilty  souls:  only  believe: 
you  mourn  under  a  sense  of  sin,  are  dejected  for  want  of  peace,  and 
distressed  for  want  of  comfort :  you  look  one  way  and  another  :  you 
strive  to  do  this  and  that :  you  pray,  read,  hear,  communicate,  &c. 
still  your  soul  is  not  happy  and  joyful.  Why  not  ?  Because  you  do 
not  obey  your  Father's  command,  believe.  3d.  Consider  the  ob- 
ject of  faith  :  "  The  name  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ."  God  the  Father 
doth  not  command,  believe  on  me,  come  to  me,  but  only  as  he  is  in 
Christ :  therefore  he  says,  "  hear  my  beloved  Son.".. ..Mark  ix.  7. 
Believe  on  him  :  go  to  him  :  receive  him  :  look  to  him :  venture 
your  souls  on  him  :  constantly  and  continually  exercise  your  minds 
on  him,  for  all  salvation  :  so  shall  you  enjoy  my  peace,  my  favor  and 
my  love.  All  centers  in  his  name,  Jesus;  your  sin-bearing,  sin- 
atoning,  curse-suffering,  law-fulfilling  Saviour.  Christ:  anointed, 
sent  and  appointed  by  God  the  Father,  to  do  and  suffer  his  will  ;  to 
finish  your  salvation,  and  to  save  and  make  you  happy  every  moment, 
in  the  sense  of  the  Father's  reconciled  love  in  hiji.  4th.  Who  are 
commanded  thus  to  believe  ?  Sinners,  lost  and  perishing  sinners, 
who  have  no  righteousness  to  justify,  no  strcngtli  to  save  themselves. 
This  is  your  character  and  mine,  and  will  be  so  all  through  life  : 
therefore  this  command  is  ever  to  be  obeyed  by  us.  Are  you  in  a 
doubling,  fearing,  condemned,  dark,  distressed  frame  ?  Your  Fa- 
ther's loving  command  just  suits  you  :  obey  him  :  believe  in  his  Son, 
for  light,  joy  and  peace,  and  they  shall  spring  up  in  your  conscience  : 
then  love  shall  prevail  in  your  soul  to  God  and  to  his  children.  This 
is  the  prayer  of  faith,  "  Lord  increase  our  faith.". ...Luke  xvii.  5. 


JULY  27.  211 

Bui  ye  have  not  so  learned  Christ..,. Kph.  iv.  20. 

Believe  and  live  as  you  will:  love  and  walk  as  you  please. 
Will  any  say,  this  is  fine  licentious  doctrines?  We  answer,  such  do 
not  know  nor  consider  the  power  of  faith,  nor  the  influence  of  Christ's 
love:  they  are  strangers  to  his  teaching.  Christians  are  his  scho- 
lars: Christ  is  our  one  master:  he  graciously  condescends  to  teach 
us:  he  kindly  says,  "  learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart" 
to  instruct  you. ...Malt.  xi.  29.  Our  grand  business  is,  to  sit  at 
his  feet.  We  have  no  just  ideas  of  the  sinfulness  of  sin,  the  vile- 
ness  of  our  nature,  nor  the  preciousness  of  his  person,  but  what 
we  learn  of  him.  Christian,  what  hast  thou  learned  of  Christ  this 
day?  If  thou  hast  not  learned  somewhat  of  the  heinous  nature  of 
sin,  so  as  to  abhor  it,  and  of  the  preciousness  of  Christ's  person  and 
salvation,  so  as  to  cleave  to  him,  verily,  thou  hast  lost  a  day  :  thou 
didst  not  so  learn  Christ;  fortius  is  his  word  daily  to  thee,  come 

UNTO   WE. 

1st.  When  the  pleasures  of  sin  invite  ;  when  these  trinity  of  idols, 
the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,  de- 
mand to  be  gratified,  what  is  your  answer?  Is  it  not  ?  My  soul  ab- 
hors them,  my  life  shall  be  prevailingly  free  from  them  ;  1  have  not 
so  learned  Christ  as  to  indulge  them  ;  I  have  learned  so  much  of 
his  precious  love,  as  to  desire  to  be  wholly,  solely  and  eternally 
devoted  to  his  glory.  2d.  Have  you  been  bearing  your  sins  and 
carrying  your  sorrows  to-day  ?  Verily,  you  take  too  much  upon  you  ; 
•ye  have  not  so  learned  Christ.  Surely,  he  hath  done  this  for  you, 
that  you  should  be  eased  of  their  burden  and  find  rest  in  him  :  "all 
ye  that  labour  and  ai-e  heavy  laden,  come  unto  mc,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest.". ...Matt.  xi.  28.  This  is  his  sweet  voice,  "  let  not  your 
hearts  be  troubled."  This  is  his  precious  command,  "believe  in 
ine."....John  xiv.  1.  3d.  Have  you  been  this  day  folding  your  hands 
in  dejection,  full  of  doubts  and  fears,  and  your  hope  at  the  last  gasp  ? 
You  have  not  so  learned  Christ :  for  he  saith  to  the  fearful  heart, 
"be  strong:  fear  not."....Isa.  xxxv.  4.  Again,  "  fear  not,  for  I  am 
with  thee:  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God;  I  will  strengthen 
thee,  yea,  I  will  help  thee :  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand 
my  righteousness. "....Isa.  xli.  IQ.  Daily  learn  to  exalt  Christ's 
words  against  all  your  sorrows  j  lus  righteousness  against  all  your 
sins;  his  salvation  against  all  your  demerits;  his  promises  against 
all  your  fears;  and  his  truths  against  all  satan's  lying  suggestions. 
See  the  blessedness  of  thus  learning  Christ ;  "  great  sball  be  thy 
peace:  in  righteousness  shalt  thou  be  established:  fear  and  terror 
shall  not  come  near  thee.".. ..Isa.  liv.  13,  14. 


212  JULY  28. 

Said  anszvered,  I  am  sore  distressed;  for  the  Philistines 
make  xvar  against  vie,  and  God  is  departed  from  vie 
....1  Savi.  xxviii.  15. 

A  MORE  awful  speech  is  scarce  to  be  found  in  the  Bible:  a 
more  dreadful  state  a  soul  cannot  be  in  en  this  side  of  hell :  to  have 
potent  enemies  in  buttle  array  ;  to  have  the  guilt  of  abominable  sins 
staring  one  in  the  face  ;  and  to  be  sensible  that  the  Lord  is  departed 
from  one,  how  horrid  to  think  of  !  O,  come  here  and  see  the  terri- 
ble effects  of  trifling  with  God  and  disobeying  his  commands  I  For 
■we  read  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  came  upon  Sj^ul ;  that  God  gave 
him  another  heart ;  that  he  was  turned  into  another  man  ;  and  that 
he  prophesied....!  Sam.  x.  6.  And  yet,  such  was  his  dreadful  con- 
duct, as  to  bring  upon  himself  such  sore  distress.  How  does  he 
act  under  it?  Does  he  humble  himself  as  heretofore  before  the  Lord  ? 
No :  but  adds  this  evil  to  all  his  abominations  ;  he  seeks  to  the  witch 
of  Endor,  desires  her  to  raise  up  Samuel  to  him  :  the  form  of 
Samuel  appears,  and  tells  him  of  his  sudden  destruction  by  the 
Philistines.  Learn  hence,  1st.  That  as  the  Lord's  mercies  are  sure, 
so  also  are  his  judgments:  though  he  may  delay  for  a  season,  yet  a 
day  of  vengeance  will  surely  overtake  every  impeninent,  sin-harden- 
ed soul:  though  it  was  long  before,  that  Saul  disobeyed  the  Lord's 
command,  in  not  totally  destroying  his  enemies,  the  Amalekites ;  yet 
the  Lord  had  neither  forgotten  it  nor  forgiven  him.  2d.  See  how  a  sin- 
hardened  soul  acts ;  not  like  David,  who  goes  to  the  Lord  with  an 
humble  heart,  a  broken  spirit,  and  a  sorrowful  cry,  "  O  Lord  pardon 
mine  iniquity,  for  it  is  great."....Psalm  xxv.  1  l....but  like  Saul,  who 
applied  to  the  devil  for  relief.  3d.  We  do  not  hear  one  word  from 
Saul  of  the  cause  of  his  distress,  sin  :  his  eyes  were  so  blinded  by 
it  that  he  saw  not  the  evil  of  it :  his  heart  was  so  hardened  by  its 
deceitfulness,  that  he  felt  no  sorrow  in  his  soul  on  account  of  it ; 
for  the  Lord  was  departed  from  him.  O,  that  we  may  dread  and 
deprecate  this.  But  let  not  any  sin-distressed,  broken  hearted  sin- 
ner, write  bitter  things  against  himself,  from  hence;  for,  if  sin 
causes  sorrow  of  heart  and  mourning  of  soul,  and  excites  a  cry, 
God  be  merciful  to  me....save  Lord  Jesus  or  I  perish :  the  Lord  is 
not  departed  from  that  soul:  it  is  not  hardened  through  the  deceit- 
fulness  of  sin.  O,  love  the  Lord  for  that :  praise  him  for  his  grace 
which  keeps  you  from  that;  and  that  his  promises  still  invite  and 
encourage  you  :  "  for  if  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the 
Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  and  his  blood  cleanseth  from 
all  sin."....  I  Johni.  7.  and  ii.  1. 

With  jealous  heart  and  godly  fear,  May  other's  evils  warn  my  soul, 

O  may  I  walk  before  the  Lord:  The  dang'rous  paths  of  sin  to  flee  : 

This  will  prevent  the  falling  tear,  Let  gen'rous  love  my  soul  controul. 

And  love  and  joy  and  peace  afford.  In  sweet  obedience,  Lord,  to  thee.  M. 


JULY  29.  213 

The  ansiver  of  a  good  conscience  towaj'ds,  God,  by  the 
resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ....!  Pet.  iii.  21. 

The  grand  business  of  faith  is,  to  give  being  and  subsistence  to 
divine  truths  in  the  mind....Heb.  xi.  1.  Hence,  conscience  gets  re- 
lief and  peace,  and  the  soul  is  made  happy.  Consider,  1st.  What  is 
conscience?  Science  is  knowledge:  pre-science  is  fore-knowledge. 
Conscience  is  something  joined  with  knowledge:  "Some  have  their 
conscience  defiled. ".... Tit.  i.  15.  With  what?  The  guilt  of  their 
sins.  Some  are  said,  "to  be  sprinkled  from  an  evil,  or  guilty  con- 
science."....Hcb.  x.  23.  With  what?  The  blood  of  Christ:  there- 
fore, in  respect  to  a  good  or  bad  conscience,  something  must  be 
joined  with  the  science  or  knowledge  of  the  mind  to  determine  it  by. 
In  this  sense  the  word  conscience  is  used  in  scripture.  Hence, 
2d.  We  may  easily  see  what  is  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience 
before  God.  Join  the  law  of  God  with  your  science,  or  knowledge 
of  yourself.  What  report  will  conscience  make  ?  The  law  condemns  : 
conscience  pleads  guilty :  it  has  got  evil  in  it.  Hence  you  fear  and 
tremble:  but  faith  joins  with  our  science,  or  knowledge,  the 
RESURRF.CTioN  OF  Christ:  thcH  wc  havc  a  good  conscience,  not 
troubled  with  the  guilt  of  sin :  for  Christ  died  for  our  sins  ;  he  aton- 
ed for  them  all  on  the  cross  ;  they  are  all  buried  in  his  sepulchre. 
He  rose  again  for  our  justification  :  hence  wc  are  fully  discharged 
from  all  condemnation  for  sin.  Thus  we  have  a  good  answer  fiom 
a  good  conscience  towards  God,  by  the  ressurrection  of  Jesus  Christ. 
Now,  1st.  This  is  what  Paul  calls  "The  mystery  of  faith. "....1  Tim. 
iii.  9.  It  is  a  mystery,  known  only  by  the  experience  of  the  faith- 
ful. Carnal  reason  cannot  comprehend  it ;  the  judgment  of  sense 
rejects  it ;  natural  men  think  a  good  conscience  arises  from  their 
being  good  in  themselves,  and  doing  no  harm  ;  they  have  a  stupid, 
conscience  and  a  deceitful  heart ;  they  believe  a  lie  ;  and  such,  from 
a  notion  of  their  own  righteousness,  think  they  have  a  good  answer 
therefrom  towards  God.  Such  is  the  ignorance,  blindness,  and  un- 
belief of  nature.  This  nature  is  part  of  us  :  this  flesh,  with  all  its 
carnal  reasonings  and  corrupt  notions,  opposes  the  mystery  of  faith 
in  the  conscience.  Therefore^  2d.  This  mystery,  is  to  be  held  in  a 
pure  conscience  :  the  resurrection  of  Christ  is  to  be  held  fast,  as 
that  truth  by  which  conscience  can  maintain  peace,,  the  heart  be 
made  happy,  the  life  influenced  to  all  holiness,  while  God  justifies, 
us  :  this  is  the  peculiar  glory  of  faith.  Hence,  "The  God  of  hope 
fills  us  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing.".. ..Rom.  xv.  13.  This 
is  our  resurrection  blessing. 


214  JULY   30. 

/  have  remembered  thij  nmne^  O  Lord,  in  the  night.... 
Psalm  cxix.  55. 

Consider,  1st.  Hebrew  names  express  the  nature  of  the  things 
to  which  they  are  applied.  Whatever  name  the  Lord  makes  him- 
self known  by  to  us,  is  expressive  of  his  nature  and  of  his  covenant 
of  love  and  grace  to  us.  Hence  there  is  no  name  so  sweet  to  us 
sinners,  as  that  which  he  hath  asssumed,  the  name  Jesus  :  the 
Lord,  the  self-existing  Jehovah,  Jesus.  All  the  glorious  perfections 
©f  wisdom,  love  and  power,  shine  with  the  greatest  lustre  in  that 
name:  the  greiit  God,  even  our  Saviour  Jesus. ...Tit.  ii.  13.  All  the 
attributes  of  Jehovah  are  magnified  and  glorified  in  that  precious 
name.  2d.  To  remember  the  name  of  the  Lord,  is  to  meditate  in 
faiih  upon  what  he  is  to  us,  hath  done  for  us,  and  hath  promised  to 
bestow  upon  us,  as  the  Lord  our  Saviour.  O,  what  a  wide  field  for 
meditation  is  here  !  But,  od.  David  remembered  the  Lord  in  the 
night.  While  others  are  sleeping,  or  doing  worse,  he  was  meditat- 
ing ;  in  the  night,  when  all  nature  is  in  profound  silence  :  this  is  a 
blessed  season  for  meditation  upon  the  I^ord  of  creation,  Providence, 
and  grace.  But  by  the  night  may  also  be  understood,  1st.  The 
night  of  afiliction,  pain,  and  sickness  of  body.  O,  how  sweet  to 
remember  the  Lord's  name  in  it ;  to  see  the  rod  of  love  in  the 
Rand  of  a  coveuant  God  and  loving  Father.  Or,  2d.  A  night  of  be- 
reaving, the  loss  of  a  near  relative,  or  a  dear  friend.  O,  blessed  to 
remember,  "The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;"  and 
to  remember  the  Lord,  to  sanctify  the  loss,  that  we  may  be  enabled 
to  say,  "blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord."  Or,  Sd.  The  night  of 
temptation,  when  all  appears  dark  and  distressing  :  then  how  joyful 
to  remember  the  name  of  him  who  was  tempted  for  us,  the  love 
of  him  who  sympathizes  with  us,  the  power  of  him  who  is  able  to 
;,uccour  us,  and  the  compassion  of  him  who  says  his  grace  is  suffi- 
cient for  usl  Or,  4th.  The  night  of  desertion :  O  this  si  a  black  night 
indeed  1  but  yet,  how  animating  to  remember  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
who  declares,  "  In  a  little  wrath,  I  hid  my  face  from  thee  for  a 
moment ;  but  with  everlasting  kindness  will  I  have  mercy  upon 
thee,  saith  the  Lord  thy  Redeemer.". ...Isa.  liv.  8.  Lastly,  how 
sweet  to  remember  the  name  of  the  Lord,  against  the  night  of  death. 
Dear  Lord,  familiarize  that  solemn  night  to  our  souls  :  let  us  medi- 
tate on  it  Avith  composure  and  look  for  it  with  joy  :  when  we  think 
of  its  awful  solemnity,  let  us  remember  thee,  who  hast  swallowed 
up  death  irt  victory,  took  away  its  strength  and  sin  ;  so  that  in  faith 
we  may  joyfully  cry  out,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  !  O  grave^ 
where  is  thy  victory  !  ThanLs  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."....  1  Cor.  Iv.  57. 


JULY  31.  215 

Peter  was  grieved,  because  he  said  inito  him  the  third 
timey  Love  si  thou  me?. ...John  xxi.  17. 

Peter  had  grieved  his  Lord  by  three  denials  of  him :  now  his 
Lord  grieves  Peter  with  three  questions  of  his  love  to  him.  We 
may  often  read  our  sin  in  our  punishment :  Peter's  Lord  suffered  him 
to  fall,  to  lower  his  pride  and  self-confidence.  Now  he  has  got  hira 
down  in  the  valley  of  humiliation,  he  keeps  him  there.  A  little 
while  ago  he  boasts  of  his  superlative  love  to  Christ,  above  all  the 
rest  of  his  disciples:  "  though  all  men  shall  be  offended  because  of 
thee,  yet  will  I  never  be  offended....!  am  ready  to  go  with  thee  both 
into  prison  and  to  death. ...though  I  should  die  with  thee,  yet  will  I 
not  deny  thee."  Brave  words  !  Who  can  doubt  of  the  sincerity  of 
Peter's  heart  in  all  this?  Hence  learn,  1st.  The  wann  fi-ames  of 
young  converts  are  often  attended  with  great  self-confidence:  there- 
is  much  of  nature's  fire  in  them.  My  heart  has  often  rejoiced  and 
has  been  warnied  wiih  love,  to  hear  the  ardor  and  energy  with  which 
some  in  their  first  love  have  spoken  of  precious  Jesus:  but  I  have 
thought,  a  sifting  time  will  come;  the  Lord  keep  your  poor  hearts 
humble  before  him.  2d.  See  the  unchangeable  love  and  sovereign 
grace  of  Christ  to  his  dear  disciples.  He  told  Peter  of  his  fall  and 
warned  him  against  it ;  yea,  set  before  him  every  particular  aggrava- 
tion of  it.  How  blind  are  those  who  see  not  here  the  divinity  of  our 
Lord?  Notwithstanding  this,  Peter  abates  nothing  of  his  self-confi- 
dence. Must  his  fall  cure  him  ?  Not  that,  but  Christ's  grace,  raised 
and  restored  him.  Falls  into  sin,  naturally  harden  through  the 
deceitfulness  of  sin:  take  heed  of  looking  to  saints'  falls,  to  make 
you  think  little  of  your  own.  Peter's  fall  was  a  damnable  sin:  he 
deserved  hell  for  it:  Christ  snatched  him  as  a  brand  out  of  the  fire. 
His  grace  brings  good  out  of  the  evil  of  sin.  Let  us  glory  of  grace, 
but  beware  of  sin.  For,  3d.  Souls  raised  by  the  grace  of  Christ 
are  grieved  for  their  base  sins  and  falls  ;  though  the  subject  between 
Christ  and  Peter  was  love,  yet  it  grieves:  no  threats  of  hell  and 
damnation  wound  new  born  souls  like  love:  "lovest  thou  me?"  sailh 
the  Lord.  Look  back,  soul,  to  thy  past  conduct ;  say,  was  there 
wann  and  generous  love  to  thy  Lord  in  it  ?  O,  the  thought  of  past 
unkindness  to  Christ  grieves  the  soul  before  him.  As  Christ  re- 
peats the  question,  grief  is  enlarged.  4th.  Never  think  you  are 
truly  raised  from  your  falls  and  restored  to  the  love  of  Christ,  if 
you  have  not  grief  of  heart  for  them  :  Christ's  grace  melts  into 
love  ;  love  sinks  into  humility,  while  it  kindles  the  fire  of  joy  and 
excites  a  godly  jealousy. 
There's  g^rief  in  love  which  none  can    Humble  me,  Lord,  unto  the  dust, 

At  the  affecting  sight  of  sin  ;     [tell.      And  make  me  for  my  :ins  ashamd. 
But  those  who  know  they're  sav'd  from  Save  me  from  all  self-righteous  ttu>;t. 

And  feel  Christ's  precious  love  [hell,      And  ev'ry  thing  that  may  be  blam'd. 
within.  M 


215  AUGUST  1. 

Therefore  it  is  of  faith,  that  it  might  be  by  grace,  to  the 
end  that  the  promise  might  be  sure  to  all  the  seed..., 
Horn.  iv.  16. 

Men  come  to  earthly  inheritances  either  by  heirship,  gift  or 
purchase  :  each  one  can  tell  how  he  cairie  by  his  estate,  and  by  Avhat 
right  he  holds  it.  Come,  christian,  examine  thy  heavenly  inheri- 
tance to-night  :  see  how  thou  earnest  possessed  of  it,  and  by  Avhat 
means  thou  dost  hold  and  enjoy  it.  1st.  It  is  thine  by  purchase  ;  not 
that  thou  didst  ever  contribute  one  mite  to  buy  it ;  but  Christ  thy 
elder  brother  paid  the  full  price  for  it  :  therefore  it  is  called  "  the 
purchased  inheritance.".. ..Eph.  i.  14.  2d.  It  is  thine  by  gift: 
"  It  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom.".... 
Luke  xii.  32.  3d.  It  is  thine  by  heirship  :  thou  wast  born  to  in- 
herit it ;  not  by  thy  natural,  but  by  thy  spiritual  birth.  Now  thou 
art  "  an  heir  of  God,  and  a  joint  heir  with  Christ,"  thy  elder  bro- 
ther....Rom.  viii.  17.  4th.  How  dost  thou  hold  it?  By  faith. 
Mind  this:  faith  is  not  thy  title  to  it:  thou  hast  that  by  pur- 
chase, heirship  and  gift.  Faith  receives  it,  takes  possession  of  it, 
and  enjoys  the  comfort  of  it.  "  We  receiving  a  kingdom". ...Heb. 
xii.  28.  5th.  The  Spirit  is  the  earnest  of  this  inheritance  :  he  first 
makes  thee  an  heir,  then  bears  witness  to  it,  by  possessing  thee  of 
the  graces  and  gifts  of  the  kingdom  :  so  he  trains  thee  up  for  the 
full  enjoyment  of  it  in  glory.  6th.  It  is  by  faith,  "  that  it  might  be 
by  grace."  Works  have  not  the  least  hand  at  all  in  the  matter  : 
they  neither  procure  right  nor  give  title  to  it  :  it  is  a  gift  of  the 
free  favor  of  God :  adoption  to  heirship,  and  purchase  of  it,  are 
all  of  free  grace  ;  and  faith  to  enjoy  it,  is  a  gift  of  grace  also. 
Well  then,  O  soul,  does  not  this  inspire  thee  to  give  all  the  glory  to 
a  gracious  God  ?  But  mind  again,  lastly,  it  is  by  grace,  "  to  this  end, 
that  the  promise  might  be  sure  to  all  the  seed,"  even  the  promise  of 
eternal  life.  The  promise  is  by  grace,  therefore  it  is  absolute,  sure 
and  certain,  else  God's  truth  would  fail  :  if  it  was  suspended  but 
upon  the  smallest  condition  of  works  (whatever  some  may  say)  every 
so\il  would  forfeit  his  title  to  heaven  and  fall  into  hell  :  but  it  is  "  sure 
to  all  the  seed  ;"  for  God,  who  cannot  lie,  promised  eternal  life 
before  the  world  began.... Tit.  i.  2.  To  whom  ?  To  Christ,  for  and 
ill  behalf  of  all  his  spiritual  seed  :  therefore  in  Christ  our  title  is  sure: 
living  upon  him  by  faith,  we  enjoy  both  present  comfort  and  full 
assurance  that  we  shall  live  and  reign  Avith  him  in  his  kingdom  of 
glory.  Thus  poor  sinners'  hearts  are  made  happy  in  faith,  joyful  in 
hope,  obedient  in  love,  while  Father,  Son  and  Spirit,  have  all  the 
glory. 
Grpce  freely  gives  and  faith  receives,    The  woman's  seed,  the  seed  of  Christ, 

The  premise  of  eternal  life;  Are  heirs,  by  promise  sure, 

Hence  all  our  Joy  of  hope  revives,         In  sweet  experience  now  they're  ble»t» 

Conscience  is  freed  from  strife.  And  shall  be  ever  more. 


AUGUST  2.  217 

Moses  endured,  as  seeing  hhn  zvho  is  invisible.... Heb. 
XI.  27. 

What  a  paradox  !  "  Seeing  him  who  is  invisible."  Is  not  this 
deemed  the  very  height  of  enthusiasm  ?  I  dearly  love  that  word:  it 
signifies,  being  in  God  :  and  I  love  it  in  the  very  sense  carnal  men 
use  it  too  ;  for  they  mean,  one  who  has  got  the  zeal  and  fire  of  god- 
liness in  his  soul.  Give  me  that  man  for  my  companion  who  is 
cast  off  by  the  world  as  an  enthusiast.  Is  it  any  marvel  that  scrip- 
tural, experimental  truths  are  foolishness  to  the  spiritually  blind,  and 
that  they  can  neither  endure  the  persons  nor  the  language  of  the 
children  of  faith?  Consider,  1st.  What  did  Moses  endure?  What 
you,  and  I,  and  every  enlightened  soul  is  called  to  endure,  "the  re- 
proach of  Christ,  and  suffering  affliction  with  the  people  of  God." 
Now  this  is  opposed,  by  "enjoying  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season." 
So  that  if  you  will  but  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin,  with  the  men  of 
this  world,  you  may  escape  the  reproach  of  Christ  and  avoid  suffer- 
ing affliction  from  them.  Now,  which  is  your  choice?  If  Christ  is 
in  your  eye,  you  cannot  hesitate  one  moment :  Moses'  choice  will 
be  yours.  Give  me  Christ.. ..welcome  reproach... .afflictions  I  em- 
brace for  him.  O  let  me  have  Christ  within  me,  and  his  mark  upon 
me.  Faith  makes  all  easy:  love  makes  all  pleasant:  hope  makes 
all  joyful.  Well,  but  how  could  Moses  endure  the  reproach  of 
Christ,  before  Christ  was  born  in  the  flesh?  Why,  the  promised 
Messiah  was  the  object  of  his  faith,  his  hope,  his  love  and  his  joy : 
so  he  was  of  all  these  heroes  of  faith,  recorded  in  this  chapter. 
"  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever,"  is  the  one 
only  object  of  every  sinner's  faith,  since  the  full  of  Adam  to  this 
day  :  take  away  Christ  and  faith  has  no  existence.  But,  2d.  How  did 
Moses  endure  ?  Just  as  you  and  I  must,  seeing  :  this  implies  a 
continued  act  of  the  mind,  constantly  fixed  upon  an  object.  We 
cannot  be  stedfast  in  faith,  joyful  in  hope,  abounding  in  love,  and 
enduring  reproach  for  Christ,  unless  we  are  continually  "looking 
unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith,  who  for  the  joy  that 
was  set  before  him,  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is 
set  down  at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God."....Heb.  xii.  2. 
Though  he  is  invisible  to  the  eye  of  sense,  yet  we  see  him  by  the 
eye  of  faith :  see  him  as  our  fore-runner  entered  into  the  heavens 
for  us. ...removed  all  things  out  of  the  way  that  hindered  us. ...ever 
living  to  pray  for  us.. ..ever  ready  to  keep  us. ...and  wai  «  ig  to 
receive  us  to  himself,  that  where  he  is  there  we  may  be  also.  O, 
this  coQstant  looking  makes  hopeful,  holy,  joyful  living,  and  com- 
fortable dying. 

Faith  is  a  fiight  unto  the  soul,  Which  docs  our;inful  pow'rs  Ci.trou', 

To  sec  an  unseen  Christ,  And  makes  ut  truly  b'.cti. 

Vol.  II.  D  d 


918  AUGUST  3. 

Whose  names  are  in  the  book  of  life,.. .Phil.  iv.  3. 

IIow  did  Paul  know  that  ?  Had  he  seen  the  book  of  life,  when 
caught  up  to  the  third  heavens  ?  No  ;  but  he  very  plainly  and  evi- 
dently saw  the  work  of  God's  Spirit  upon  these  persons'  souls,  by 
their  fruits  of  faith  and  labours  of  love  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  :  hence  he  speaks  so  confidently  of  them.  This  furnishes  us 
with  these  glorious  truths,  1st.  That  the  names  of  all  God's  cho- 
sen people  are  registered  in  the  book  of  life,  called  the  Lamb's 
book  of  life.... Rev.  xxi.  27.  This  implies  the  eten-al  love  of  God 
to  them  ;  choice  of  them,  personal  knowledge  of  each  of  them, 
value  for  them,  care  over  them,  and  their  certain  enjoyment  of  God 
in  heaven  and  glory  :  for,  "  says  the  Lord  of  hosts,  they  shall  be 
mine  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels. "....Mai.  iii.  17.  But 
may  not  the  name  of  a  believer  in  Christ  be  blotted  out  of  this  book 
of  life  and  he  suffered  to  perish  ?  No,  saith  the  Lamb,  I  will  not 
blot  his  name  out  of  the  book  of  life. ...Rev.  iii.  5.  It  is  his  book: 
they  are  too  dearly  loved  and  loo  dearly  bought,  to  be  blotted  out. 
Not  all  the  powers  of  sin,  earth  and  hell,  can  inake  him  a  liar  :  he 
hath  said,  "  I  give  unto  my  sheep  eternal  life,  they  shall  never  per- 
ish, neither  shall  any  pluck  them  out  of  my  hand.".. ..John  x.  28. 
Say,  believer,  what  hadst  thou  done  to  deserve  thy  name  to  be  en- 
rolled in  the  annals  of  eternal  love  ?  What  canst  thou  do  to  merit 
its  continuance  in  the  book  of  life  ?  Methinks  thy  generous,  loving 
soul,  recoils  at  these  thoughts.  Love  did  the  mighty  deed  :  grace 
reigns:  salvation  from  first  to  last  is  all  of  free-gift  to  God's  glory. 
2d.  Those  whose  nameG  are  written  in  the  book  of  life  may  attain 
to  a  comfortable  knowledge  of  it.  How  ?  Not  by  seeing  this  book  ; 
not  by  any  voice,  visions,  or  fresh  revelations  from  heaven:  but,  says 
Paul  of  these,  "  They  laboured  with  me  in  the  gospel."  This  im- 
plies, faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  lore  to  him,  delight  in  him  and  in 
the  gospel  of  his  grace.  When  the  gospel  is  indeed  good  news  to 
us  miserable  sinners,  when  we  see  the  glory  of  Father,  Son  and 
Spirit  shine  in  it,  when  it  captivates  our  affections,  enlivens  our 
hearts,  invigorates  our  minds,  animates  our  hopes,  brings  peace  to 
our  consciences,  and  subdues  the  whole  man,  to  give  up  all  for  it, 
and  to  live  under  the  influence  of  it,  we  may  be  well  assured  our 
names  are  written  in  heaven  :  for  the  power  of  God  hath  effected 
this  upon  our  heart,  as  a  consequence  of  it,  and  a  sure  evidence  to 
prove  jt.  Hence,  3(1.  Vou  see  the  genuine  effects  of  God's  electing 
love  :  "  We  ai'e  chosen  iVom  the  beginning  to  salvation,  through 
sanctification  of  tlie  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth. "....2  Thess.  ii.  13. 
Without  a  holy  faith  in  Jesus,  a  holy  life  from  him,  and  a  holy 
walk  before  him,  we  can  enjoy  no  comfort  from  electing  love.  But 
these  arc  evident  tokens  of  the  salvation  of  God.. ..Phil.  i.  28. 


AUGUST  4.  519 

And  ye  arc  complete  in  him.... Col,  ii.  10. 

Holy  Paul  has  but  one  object  in  view  :  he  aims  to  bring  all 
christians  to  one  point,  even  to  be  happy  and  joyful  in  one  Saviour. 
As  in  Christ  all  the  fulness  of  the  godhead  dwelt  bodily,  so  his  dis- 
ciples should  see  that  they  are  complete  in  him.  O,  how  do  we 
labour  and  toil,  vex  and  perplex  our  poor  hearts  from  day  to  day,  for 
want  of  clearly  seeing  and  simply  believing  this.  Consider,  1st. 
The  assertion  :  Paul  does  not  here  exhort,  be  ye  complete,  but  affirms, 
"  ye  are  complete:"  not  ye  shall  be  complete  hereafter,  when  you 
have  |!;ot  stronger  faith,  greater  love,  and  more  good  works ;  but, 
"  ye  ARE  complete"  now,  at  this  present  moment.  Do  not  think 
you  want  any  thing  in  yourselves  to  make  you  complete,  but  know 
and  rejoice,  ye  are  full,  complete  and  perfect  in  Christ,  your  head; 
for  ye  are  members  of  him  ;  and  being  one  in  him,  all  his  perfection 
is  yours:  this  is  the  glory  of  faith  :  here  is  the  comfort  and  joy  of 
faith  ;  and  thus  faith  gives  glory  to  Christ,  its  author  and  object :  it 
leaves  all  works  behind  :  it  finds  all  perfection  in  Christ,  aod  it  works 
by  love  to  all  good  works  :  not  to  get  perfection  by  them,  but  to 
glorify  Christ,  in  whom  we  are  already  perfect  and  complete.  But, 
2d.  In  what  sense  are  all  believers  complete  in  Christ  ?  1st.  In  righ- 
teousness: they  are  perfectly  righteous  in  Christ,  therefore  they 
are  perfectly  accepted  and  fully  justified  by  (iod,  in  him....F.ph.  i.  6. 
They  never  can  be  more  complete  in  righteousness  than  they  are 
IN  Christ.  2d.  In  the  abolishing  of  sin.  They  are  presented  in 
Christ  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing:  Christ  hath  by 
one  offering  perfected  for  ever,  all  them  that  are  sanctified.. ..Ikb. 
X.  14.  That  is,  separated  by  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  from  eter- 
nity ;  and  separated  by  God  the  Spirit,  to  believe  on  Christ  in  time, 
and  to  whom  Christ  is  made  sanctification.  3d.  In  freedom  from 
the  guilt  of  sin  and  punishment  by  the  law  of  God  :  the  work  of 
Christ  makes  "  perfect,  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience. "....Heb. 
ix.  9.  Their  hearts  are  sprinkled  from  an  evil,  or  guilty  conscience.... 
Heb.  x.  22.  There  is  now  no  (not  one,  not  the  least)  condemnation 
to  them  which  are  in  Christ  Jesus.... Hon),  viii.  1.  4th.  in  their 
victory  over  death  :  their  victory  is  complete  in  Jesus  Christ :  this 
is  the  grateful  triumph  of  faith,  "Thanks  be  to  CJod  which  giveth  vs. 
the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."....  1  Cor.  xv.  57.  In 
their  assured  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality,  our  hope  in  Christ  is 
perfect  and  complete  :  nothing  can  be  added  to  it.  For  we  are  in 
Christ,  1st.  Perfectly  cleansed  from  all  our  sins.  2d.  Restored  to 
perfect  righteousness.  3d.  Perfectly  reconciled  to  God.  And,  4lli. 
The  gate  of  heax-^n  is  opened  to  us.  Here  is  a  glorious  perfection 
indeed,  this  is  a  perfeetioii  worth  contending  for.  O  precious  Christ  1 
O  precioiis  faith  I 


220  AUGUST  5. 

Wherefore  thou  art  no  more  a  servant,   but  a  son. ...Gal. 
iv.  7. 

Why  does  Paul  tell  believers  this,  seeing  he  had  in  the  former 
verse  said,  that  the  Spirit  assured  their  hearts  of  it  ?  We  hence 
plainly  see  the  necessity  of  the  outward  M'ord  of  reconciliation,  as 
well  as  the  inward  testimony  of  the  Spirit ;  and  if  the  witness  of 
the  Spirit  within  does  not  accord  to  the  testimony  of  the  word  with- 
out, we  do  well  to  suspect  it :  besides,  from  the  Avorking  of  a  legal 
spirit,  the  prevailing  of  unbelief,  the  raging  of  coiTupt  lusts,  an 
undue  attention  to  the  things  of  this  life,  and  the  accusations  of 
satan,  children  of  God  are  prone  to  live  below  their  glorious  state 
and  inestimable  privilege.  Hence  our  loving,  heavenly  Father  has 
not  the  joy  of  our  hearts,  nor  the  glory  of  our  lives:  we  do  not  al- 
ways, as  commanded,  rejoice  in  Christ,  our  dear  elder  brother  : 
therefore  Ptiul  reminds,  "  thou  art  no  more  a  servant."  Consider, 
1st.  What  means  he  by  a  servant?  1st.  He  is  under  the  law,  in 
bondage  to  it :  he  gets  no  freedom  of  spirit  nor  liberty  of  soul  from 
it,  do  what  he  will.  It  still  says  do:  work  on  :  you  have  not  done 
enough  yet:  J  must  have  perfect  obedience  from  you:  you  are 
my  bounden  servant.  2d.  He  works  for  wages  :  he  expects  justifi- 
cation BY  his  works,  and  salvation  for  his  obedience.  3d.  He  is 
always  under  fear  and  terror  of  being  punished  in  hell  for  his  faults, 
and  the  wrath  of  God  coming  upon  him  for  his  disobedience.  For, 
4th.  He  sees  no  higher  motive  to  act  by  and  work  from,  than  the 
law  of  works:  he  is  alive  to  the  law,  though  he  is  under  the  sen- 
tence of  curse  and  death  by  it.  Tell  him  of  free  and  full  justifica- 
tion unto  life,  by  the  work  of  the  Son  of  God  only,  without  works  ; 
he  rejects  it,  as  downright  Antinomianism.  O,  believer  in  Jesus, 
rejoice  thou  art  no  more  such  a  servant,  but  a  son.  2d.  See  the 
blessedn^-'ss  of  this  state.  1st.  You  are  not  left  to  work  under  the 
law  to  obtain  God's  favor ;  for  he  hath  freely  adopted  you  to  be  his 
son.  You  have  not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage  to  fear,  (hell  and 
damnation)  but  the  spirit  of  adoption,  whereby  you  cry,  "  Abba, 
Father.".... Rom.  viii.  15.  2d.  You  are  a  regenerate  son.  God  hath 
begotten  you  again,  (from  the  dead  hope  of  the  law)  to  a  lively 
hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ....!  Pet.  i.  3.  What  work 
couldst  thou  do  to  deserve  this  blessing  ?  Just  as  much  as  a  devil  in 
hell  could  to  deserve  to  be  made  an  angel  in  heaven  :  it  was  of  thy 
Father's  abundant  mercy.  3d.  Thou  art  a  son  of  God  by  faith 
in  Christ  Jesus... .Gal.  iii.  26.  A  believing  son,  by  gospel  grace  : 
not  a  working  servant  under  legal  terror.  Live  then  up  to  your 
dignity,  upon  your  Father's  love  and  elder  brother's  grace,  above 
the  slavery  of  sin,  the  bondage  of  the  law,  and  the  fear  of  hell : 
"  Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon  U9  ?".... 
1  John  iii.  1. 


AUGUST  6.  ^  221 

And  if  a-  s.on,  tJtai  an  heir  of  God  ilwough  Christ 

Gal.  iv.  7. 

Paul's  rational  conclusions  are  enough  to  put  all  the  sophistry 
of  men  and  devils  to  confusion,  and  to  silence  all  the- unscriptural 
objections  of  unbelief.  1st.  If  a  son  of  God,  by  adoption  and  gl'acc, 
then  no  more  a  servant  under  the  law,  working  to  obtain  the  favor  of 
God,  righteousness,  justification  unto  life,  and  salvation  by  obe- 
dience to  the  law ;  or  to  dread  its  cui-se  and  condemnation  for  trans-' 
gressions  against  it.  This  truth  will  try  you,  whether  you  have 
got  the  heart  of  a  son  of  God  or  not :  if  not,  you  will  cry,  O,  this* 
is  fine  doctrine  1  It  suits  my  lusts  exceeding  well.  If  I  am  not- 
made  a  son  Bv  my  works,  nor  continued  a  son  for  my  works  ; 
seeing  I  get  no  good  by  obeying  the  law,  nor  any  evil  by  transgress- 
ing it,  I  will  gratify  my  lusts  :  this  is  the  real  language  of  carnal 
nature,  not  of  a  regenerate  soul  :  such  plainly  evince  that  they  have 
not  the  genuine  love  of  a  son  of  God.  If  a  son,  then  there  is  the 
faith,  the  hope,  the  love,  the  joy,  the  peace  of  sons  ;  and  a  com- 
placency and  delight  in  the  Father's  sovercigH  will,  gracious  pur- 
poses, covenant  mei'cy,  providential  dispensations,  holy  commands, 
and  righteous  precepts.  The  soul  has  an  habitual  attention  to  its 
Father's  voice  :  *'  behold. ...h ear.. ..belikve  in  my  Son,  in  whom 
I  delight  and  am  well  pleased."  2d.  Then  an  heir  of  God.  Asto- 
nishing expression  !  What  do  I  read  ?  What  I,  who  am  the  subject 
of  sin  and  death,  and  an  heir  of  hell,  yet  an  heir  of  God  ?  O,  my 
soul  !  Why  art  thou  not  filled  with  an  ecstacy  of  joy  ?  Help,  O  help 
me,  thou  blessed  Spirit,  to  believe  this  glorious  truth  in  all  its  di- 
vine fulness.  What !  An  heir  of  Jehovah,  God  the  Father,  Son 
and  Holy  Spirit?  An  heir  to  all  that  God  has  to  bestow,  to  all  the 
blessings  of  earth  and  heaven,  in  time  and  eternity  ;  an  heir  to  the 
Father's  everlasting  love,  the  Son's  everlasting  salvation,  and  to  the 
Spirit's  everlasting  consolations,  on  earth  and  in  glory  ?  Yes,  all, 
all  are  freely  given  and  divinely  secured  by  covenant  grace,  preciou* 
promises,  and  solemn  oath  of  my  Eloliim.  But  can  it  be  that  I  am 
an  heir  of  God,  who  groan  under  a  body  of  sin  and  death....am  har- 
rassed  by  satan  and  my  lusts.. ..perplexed  in  a  wicked  world  ?  Yes. 
Here  faith  is  all  in  all  :  it  receives  this  truth  and  glories  in  it.  Mind, 
3d.  "  An  heir,  through  Christ."  Thy  heirship  comes  through  him 
....is  jointly  with  him.. ..is  enjoyed  in  him  :  it  is  all  out  of  nature 
and  sense  ;  above  sight  and  feeling  ;  beyond  the  sin  and  misery  of 
nature  :  it  is  by  faith  in  Christ.  By  faith  we  cry,  Abba,  Father  ;  I 
love  thy  holy  law  ;  delight  in  thy  righteous  will ;  rejoice  to  obey 
thee,  as  thy  loving  child  ;  bless  thee  that  I  am  no  more  a  slave  to 
sin,  a  captive  of  satan,  and  in  bondage  to  the  law.  O,  what  shall 
I  render  to  my  heavenly  Father  for  his  inexpressible  love  I 


22?  AUGUST  7, 

And  became  ye  are  sous,  God  hath  sent  forth  the  ^^plrit  of 
his  Son  into  your  hearts,  crying,  Abba,  Father.... Gal. 
iv.  6. 

This  is  the  peculiar  glory  of  gospel  grace,  sinners  are  sons  of 
God  :  here  is  the  jo)'ful  knowledge  of  it,  by  the  Spirit :  here  is  the 
precious  boldness  of  children  to  God,  my  father.  The  glory  of 
the  whole  trinity  is  in  this  verse.. ..Lord,  help  us  to  consider,  the 
Spirit. ..his  cry.... and  Avhere  he  cries.  1st.  The  Spirit :  mind,  he  is 
called  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  tlie  Son  of  God;  for  he  corries  to  us  from 
Christ,  his  office  is  to  testify  of  Christ,  to  glorify  him  ;  for  he  takes 
of  the  things  of  Christ,  and  shews  them  to  us.. ..John  xvi.  14.  He 
convinces  us  of  sin ;  our  want  of  righteousness  ;  gives  us  a  right 
judgment  of  Christ,  and  his  M'ovk  for  our  salvation  ;  leads  us  to 
Christ  ;  begets  us  to  a  lively  hope  in  him  ;  and  becomes  to  our 
souls  a  spirit  of  adoption,  because  we  are  the  sons  of  God  by  faith  in 
Christ.  Then,  2d.  He  gives  us  a  cry  :  he  becomes  a  spirit  of  grace 
and  supplication  to  us.  When  a  child  is  born,  it  soon  discovers  that 
it  is  alive,  by  its  cries  :  God  has  no  still-born  children.  As  soon  as 
Paul  was  converted,  he  prayed  to  God  Jesus.  That  soul  that  never 
prayed  to  Christ,  Avas  never  converted  by  his  Spirit.  Do  you  believe 
in  and  pray  to  Christ  as  over  all,  God  blessed  for  evermore  ?  That 
is  a  sure  and  blessed  evidence  that  you  are  converted  by  the  Spirit  of 
Christ ;  for  it  is  his  cry.  3d.  Where  doth  he  put  this  cry  ?  Where 
the  sense  of  our  misery  is  ;  where  the  graces  of  faith,  hope,  love, 
and  air  religion  centre,  in  our  hearts.  Every  body  can  say.  Our 
Father.. ..Christ  liave  mercy  on  us,  with  their  lips  :  but  God's  elect 
cry  day  and  night  to  him,  from  their  hearts.. ..Luke  xviii.  7. 
David  says,  "  thy  servant  found  in  his  heart  to  pray  this  prayer 
unto  thee.". ...2  Sam.  vii.  27.  The  lips  will  soon  give  over  crying, 
if  there  is  not  a  ciy  in  tlie  heart.  4th.  What  a  precious  cry  is 
it?  Not  an  angel,  nor  arch-angel  in  glory,  has  such  a  cry.  They 
cannot  cry,  Abba,  Father.  Though  God  created  them,  he  never  re- 
generated them  :  Christ  never  died  for  them  :  the  Spirit  never  cries 
in  their  hearts,  Abba,  Father ;  in  the  sense  which  he  does  in  us  mi- 
serable sinners.  "  In  the  midst  of  the  terrors  of  the  law,  thun- 
derings  of  sin,  assaults  of  death,^  and  roarings  of  satan,  the  Holy 
Ghost  crieth,  Abba,  Father  :  this  cry  surmounteth  the  horrible 
cries  of  the  law,  sin,  death  and  the  devil  ;  it  pierceth  the  clouds  and 
the  heavens,  an4  asctndeth  up  into  the  ears  of  God,"  saith  Luther. 
Thus  when  we  take  hold  of  Christ  by  faith,  we  cry,  through  him, 
Abba,  Father.  O  soul,  rejoice  in  the  love  of  Father,  Son  and 
^pirit,  and  walk  wcwthy  of  the  Lord,  unto  all  pleasing.. ..Col.  i.  10. 

The  spirit  of  his  Son  he  sends,  Whereby  we  Abba,  Father;    cry, 

Into  our  mouriii'iil  heart,  And  all  our  fears  depart.  M. 


AUGUST  8.  223 

JVe  are  changed.... 2  Cor.  iii.  18. 

What  a  blessed  and  glorious  change  has  passed  upon  our  souls ! 
Lord,  help  us  to  consider  it  this  night  to  thy  glory  and  our  comfort, 
how,  by  whom,  and  why  are  we  changed.  1st.  How  are  wc  chang- 
ed ?  From  sinful  into  sinless  creatures?  No:  some  speak  of  this 
change  as  if  it  was  a  total  change  of  our  corrupt  nature :  hence  many 
dear  children  of  God,  finding  and  feeling  all  the  ruins  of  their  fallen 
nature  from  day  to  day,  are  sorely  distressed,  and  conclude  that  no 
spiritual  change  has  passed  upon  their  souls  :  but  this  change  is 
purely  spiritual ;  it  passeth  upon  the  spirit  of  our  minds  ;  these 
were  enmity  against  God,  now  they  love  (iodand  delight  in  the  law 
of  God.  Our  souls,  once  dead  in  sin,  are  nowali\c  in  God.  We 
are  translated  from  darkness  into  light;  we  see  with  open  face,  in 
the  glass  of  the  gospel,  the  glory  of  Jesus  in  all  his  offices  and  pre- 
cious salvation.  Hence  our  minds  are  changed  into  his  image  ;  wc 
are  united  to  him  and  are  one  with  him  ;  the  image  of  God,  lost  in 
the  fall,  is  restored  to  our  souls  in  Christ;  we  are  in  him,  as  righte- 
ous before  God  as  though  we  had  never  sinned ;  as  holy  and  with- 
out spot  of  sin,  as  though  we  had  never  lost  our  innocence.  Such 
is  our  glorious  change  ;  this  is  the  joy  of  faith  ;  this  is  above  nature, 
beyond  carnal  sense.  2d.  By  whom  are  we  changed  ?  By  the  Lord 
the  Spirit.  Being  loved  of  God  the  Father,  when  dead  in  sin  ;  being 
redeemed  by  God  the  Son  from  our  sins  ;  God  the  Spirit  changes 
us  from  dead  sinners  into  living  saints  in  Christ.  3d.  To  what  end? 
that  we  should  admire  ourselves,  glory  in  ourselves,  and  so  trust  in 
ourselves  as  to  expect  God's  favor  and  eternal  life  for  what  we  are  in 
ourselves  ?  O,  no.  Though  changed  into  the  image  of  Christ, 
yet  we  shall  find  all  the  evil  of  sin  in  our  fiesh  :  though  new  crea- 
tures in  Christ,  still  the  old  man,  with  all  his  corrupt  lusts  and 
carnal  affections  is  alive  in  us:  this  is  enough  to  humble  us.  But 
the  Spirit  changes  us,  that  we  should  glory  in  and  glory  of  Christ; 
that  all  our  joy  and  rejoicing  should  be  in  the  Lamb  of  God,  who 
hath  taken  away  our  sins,  for  ever  saved  our  souls,  and  brought  us 
into  sweet  peace  and  holy  fellowship  with  God  ;  that  we  may  enjoy 
him  in  love,  and  walk  before  him  in  holiness  below,  and  live  and 
reign  eternally  with  him  above.  These  are  the  great  and  glorious 
ends  of  our  being  changed.  One  change  more  and  we  are  in  glory. 
We  shall  all  be  changed,  body  and  soul,  into  the  image  of  the 
heavenly  Jesus. 

Chang'J  in   my   state,  my   heart  and  Rejoice,  another  cliange  awaits 
By  power  of  the  sacrad  THREE:  [ways.  Thee,  as  anew-born  child  of  God: 
My  soul  adore  this  Lord  of  grace,        Thou  soon  shalt  pass  the  heay'niy  jateu. 
And  walk  in  love  and  purity.  Free  from  ail  sin,  with  glory  clad.  M 


224  AUGUST  y. 

I  am  the  Lor^d,  I  change  not,  therefore  ye  sons  of  Jacob 
are  not  consumed.... Mai.  iii.  6. 

Religion  without  feeling  is  like  a  dead  carcase  :  fcelinj-  with- 
out truth  is  only  nature  warmed  by  fancy.  Those  are  the  only  pre- 
cious feelings,  which  are  caused  by  the  word  of  God:  this  is  a  joy- 
ful feeling,  when  we  can  say,  '*!  rejoice  at  thy  word,  as  one  that 
findeth  great  spoil. "....Psalm  cxix.  162.  Why  such  exceeding  great 
joy?  Because  the  word  of  God  testifies  of  the  immutable  nature 
and  unchangeable  love  of  a  covenant  God  to  poor  sinners.  I  am  the 
Lord,  Jehovah,  Father,  Son  and  Spirit :  I  change  not.  There's 
the  believer's  security  from  destruction:  in  this  consists  his  safety 
unto  salvation ;  for  alas!  we  are  poor,  changeable  creatures  :  now, 
our  souls  are  strong  in  confidence,  warm  with  love,  joyful  through 
hope,  enlarged  in  prayer,  with  Christ  in  our  view  and  glory  in  our 
eye;  anon,  a  cloud  arises  in  the  horizon  of  our  hearts,  unbelief 
prevails,  lust  rages,  corruptions  roar,  all  nature  is  in  ferment,  and 
the  soul  in  distress  :  then,  what  has  it  to  look  to  for  hope,  and  turn 
to  for  comfort?  An  unchangeable  God,  who  is  of  one  mind;  with 
whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning.. .. Job  xxiii.  13. 
James  i.  17.  A  precious  "  Jesus,  who  is  the  same  yesterday,  and 
to-day,  and  for  ever."....Heb.  xiii.  8.  •'  The  Lord  thy  God  in  the 
midst  of  thee,  is  mighty :  he  will  save,  he  will  rejoice  over  thee  with 
joy:  he  will  rest  in  his  love:  he  will  joy  over  thee  with  singing". ..» 
Zeph.  iii.  17.  The  different  frames  and  feelings  which  distress  us, 
do  not  affect  God  nor  cause  any  change  in  his  love  to  us.  A  change- 
able God  must  be  an  unhappy  being,  like  ourselves:  but  God  never 
changes  in  his  love,  purposes,  and  grace  to  us.  For,  ist.  He  did 
not  love  us,  choose  us,  and  set  his  heart  upon  us  on  account  of  what 
he  saw  in  us,  but  as  he  viewed  us  in  the  Son  of  his  love.  We  are 
unrighteous  sinners  in  ourselves  ;  but  he  sees  in  Christ  an  everlast- 
ing atonement  for  our  sins,  and  an  everlasting  righteousness  to  jus- 
tify us:  therefore  he  is  ever  pleased  with  us  in  Christ ;  ever  of  one 
mind  concerning  us  ;  ever  rests  in  his  love  to  us  and  joy  over  us  : 
no  change  in  us  can  ever  affect  his  mind,  his  love,  or  his  joy. 
Hence  learn,  1  st.  Not  to  live  upon  your  frames  and  feelings,  nor  upon 
any  thing  you  arc  in  yourself.  Bless  God  for  lively  frames  and  com- 
fortable feelings  ;  but  know,  these  are  not  Christ;  they  do  not  make 
you  acceptable  to  God.  But,  2d.  Look  to  and  live  upon  what  you 
arc  in  Christ :  that  is  your  glory.  God  so  views  and  loves  you. 
Look  here,  live  here,  and  rejoice.  So  you  will,  3d.  Be  like  God, 
of  one  mind  uni.o  Jcsvis,  live  upon  him,  and  walk  to  the  glory  of 
your  (Jod  and  Father,  in  him. 

Go<l  never  changes  in  his  love.  As  though  today  he  souls  approve, 

A»  fecbk  men  do  ihiuK,  After  to  hell  will  sink-       '  M. 


AUGUST   10.  225 

The  heirs  of  promise....  Hcb.  vi.  17. 

Consider,  1st.  An  heir  of  promise,  is  one  who  has  no  just 
right  or  legal  title  to  an  inheritance,  but  as  it  is  ensured  to  him  by 
the  promise  of  the  owner  :  just  so  the  Lord  makes  sinners,  who  have 
no  right  or  title  to  his  heavenly  inheritance,  a  free  promise  that  they 
shall  be  heii-s  to  it.  2d.  When  was  this  promise  made  ?  "  Before 
the  world  began,  God  who  cannot  lie,  promised  eternal  life  1".... 
Tit.  i.  2.  Sd.  To  whom  could  the  promise  be  made,  seeing  man 
was  not  then  created  ?  It  was  not  made  to  man,  but  for  man  : 
not  for  any  thing  in  man  :  nor  does  this  promise  receive  any  stability 
by  any  thing  done  by  men.  It  was  made  in  the  eternal  council  and 
covenant,  by  God  the  Father  to  his  co-equal  Son  ;  for,  and  in  behalf 
of  all  the  heirs  of  God.  4th.  Who  are  the  heirs  of  promise  ?  God 
knows  every  one  of  them  :  we  know  theii-  name:  it  is  sinnkr.  In 
the  fulness  of  time  he  makes  them  manifest,  and  they  have  blessed 
evidence  and  assurance  of  their  being  heirs  :  for,  as  the  Father 
gave  them  to  Christ,  the  Spirit  draws  them,  and  they  come  unto 
Christ :  this  is  the  blessed  evidence  of  heirship  :  they  are  refugees: 
they  flee  for  refuge  from  the  curse  of  the  law  :  the  desert  of  sin, 
every  hope,  and  all  help  in  themselves  to  lay  hold  of  Jesus  their 
trustee,  to  whom  the  promise  was  made,  in  whom  it  centers,  and 
through  whom  it  shall  be  fulfilled  :  but  neither  their  fleeing,  nor 
their  faith,  makes  them  heirs  ;  but  being  heirs  in  Christ,  they  are 
enabled  to  flee  to  him,  believe  in  him,  and  enjoy  the  comfort  of  it. 
5th.  See  then,  ye  believing  heirs,  how  safe  your  state,  how  secure 
your  inheritance;  "  it  is  reserved  for  you."....l  Pet.  i.  4.  God  wil- 
ling more  abundantly  to  shew  unto  the  heirs  of  promise  the  immu- 
tability of  his  counsel,  confirmed  it  by  an  oath....lieb.  v.  17.  O  the 
love  of  God !  O  the  horrid  blasphemy  of  men  !  They  who  say  an 
heir  of  promise  may  be  damned,  charge  the  great  God  with  perjury  ! 
For,  6th.  The  inheritance  is  not  by  works  :  not  for  any  thing  we 
have  done,  or  can  do :  not  for  any  grace  given  us,  but  being 
heirs  by  promise,  grace  is  given  us,  that  we  should  live  and 
walk  like  sons  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ.  As  you 
did  nothing  to  make  yourself  an  heir  of  promise  and  to  get  a  title  to 
eternal  life,  so  you  can  do  nothing  to  forfeit  it.  It  is  impossible  for 
God  to  lie  :  he  cannot  be  forsworn  :  his  promise  cannot  fail  :  yet,  if 
you  do  not  live  like  an  heir  of  God,  your  faith  will  grow  weak,  your 
comfort  low  :  you  will  lose  sight  of  your  title,  and  your  Father  will 
visit  your  transgression  with  a  rod.. ..Psalm  Ixxxix.  32. 

I  have  no  right  to  be  an  heir,  Then,  Lord,  I  humbly  come  to  thee, 

Of  God's  most  rich  inheritance  ;  A  sinner  vile,  wretched  and  poor; 

His  promise  gives  to  all  a  share,  O  grant  me  clearly  now  to  see 

Who  place  in  Christ  their  confidence.  I've  entered  in  by  Christ  the  door.  M. 
Vol.  II.  E  e 


226  AUGUST  11. 

Ml/  son,  be  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.... 

2  Tim.  u.  1. 

Paul  had  known  what  it  was  to  be  strong  in  vain  confidence  and 
self-righteous  hopes  ;  to  be  strong  in  rage  and  persecution  against 
Christ  and  his  people  :  but  his  poor  soul  had  severely  smarted  for 
that.  Now  Christ  had  got  possession  of  his  heart,  he  was  all  in  all 
to  him  ;  he  thought  he  could  never  enough  recommend  him  and  his 
grace  to  his  dear  friends.  O  let  us  imitate  him.  1st.  The  grace 
that  is  in  Christ  Jesus  :  because  of  our  low,  mean,  scanty  thoughts 
of  his  rich  grace,  we  are  low  in  courage  against  our  enemies,  and 
weak  in  the  comforts  of  our  souls.  Know,  there  is  much  more  in 
this  than  many  weakly  suppose,  as  though  Christ  came  into  the 
world  to  procure  some  grace  for  us,  puts  it  into  us  as  they  do  seeds 
into  a  hot-bed,  leaves  us  to  be  faithful  to  it,  and  so  to  secure  our  own 
salvation.  What  kind  of  grace  is  this?  Not  saving  grace:  if  this 
is  all,  it  would  end  in  our  certain  destruction  ;  but  the  grace,  or 
favor  that  is  in  Christ  towards  us,  is  nothing  less  than  the  everlast- 
ing love  of  God  to  us  :  an  everlasting  atonement  for  our  sins  :  an 
everlasting  righteousness  to  justify  our  persons  :  an  everlasting  sal- 
vation for  our  souls  ;  and  the  everlasting  consolations  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  all  promised  to  us  in  the  everlasting  gospel,  and  enjoyed  in 
faith  :  those  wlio  diminish  ought  of  all  this  from  the  grace  of  Christ, 
are  op'en  enemies  to  God's  glory  in  Christ,  and  to  the  peace,  holi- 
ness, and  comfort  of  our  souls.  Ignorance  and  unbelief  are  our 
Lord's  enemies  and  ours.  Against  these,  2d.  Be  strong  in  this 
grace  :  fortify  your  mind  :  fence  yourself  round  with  it  :  entrench 
yourself  in  it :  let  your  confidence  be  strong  in  it  against  all  opposing 
enemies  ;  be  bold  in  faith  :  strong  in  hope  ;  confident  in  the  grace 
of  Christ :  rest  not  in  any  degree  of  grace  received  ;  but  be  strong 
in  the  fulness  of  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ.  Are  your  lusts  and  cor- 
ruptions strong  ?  Oppose  the  Almighty  grace  of  Christ  to  them  : 
are  your  doubts  and  fears  strong  ?  "  Be  strong  in  the  precious  pro- 
mises which  are  in  Christ  Jesus,  yea  and  amen,  to  the  glory  of 
God. "....2  Cor.  i.  20.  Are  your  conflicts,  temptations  and  distresses 
strong  ?  Flee  for  refuge  to  Jesus,  the  hope  set  before  you  :  there  is 
STRONG  CONSOLATION  for  you  !  God  knowing  our  distress  and  dejec- 
tion through  the  prevailings  of  unbelief,  has  graciously  confirmed  his 
council  and  promise  (O  astonishing!)  l)y  his  oath.  Can  you,  dare 
you  think  it  possible  for  (iod  to  lie  or  be  perjured  ?  Then,  whatever 
in  nature,  sense  and  feeling  oppose,  stagger  not  at  the  promise  of 
God  through  unbelief;  "  but  be  strong  in  faith  giving  glory  to  God." 
....Rom.  iv.  20. 

With  strongest  love,  and  sufferings       Then  let's  be  strong,  in  Christ  complete 
Chribt  manifests  his  grace:        [great,  AVe're  £ur«  to  see  his  face.  M. 


AUGUST   12.  227 

Fight  the  good  fight  of  faithy  My  hold  on  eternal  life.... 
.   1  Tim.  vi.  12.  ' 

Soldiers  of  an  earthly  monarch  are  regularly  enlisted  to  fifjht 
under  his  banner :  they  wear  his  livery  and  are  furnished  by  Inm  ^^  ith 
arms:  in  a  day  of  battle  they  prove  their  courage  and  faithfulness. 
So  the  captain  of  our  salvation  chooses  and  enlists  his  own  soldiers : 
he  puts  on  them  a  livery  whereby  they  are  known  to  his  enemies  : 
he  puts  an  armour  on  them  and  weapons  into  their  hands.  From 
the  moment  they  enlist  under  him,  they  enter  the  field  of  battle  : 
there  is  never  any  peace  with  the  enemy  ;  the  fight  is  the  good  fight 
of  faith;  the  prize  is  eternal  life;  the  daily  word  of  command  is, 
FiGUT....stand  to  your  arms. ...give  no  quarter  to  the  enemy. ...be- 
ware of  the  least  truce  with  them;  for  the  danger  is  great,  the  ef- 
fects will  prove  awful.  It  is  a  good  fight:  it  is  in  a  good  cause; 
under  a  good  captain,  who  gives  good  encouragement,  and  has  as- 
sured us  of  certain  victory  over  the  worst  of  enemies.  Fight  this 
good  fight  for  the  glory  of  him,  who  in  dying  for  us  has  for  ever 
conquered  all  who  are  against  us.  But  they  are  not  all  dead  yet  : 
fight  on  :  it  is  a  good  fight  of  faith.  Dost  thou  say  I  have  got  no 
faith  ?  Then  pull  off  thy  soldier's  livery.  What  hast  thou  to  do  in 
the  rank  ?  But  who  told  thee  thou  art  destitute  of  faith  ?  Why,  thou 
hast  laid  down  thy  shield,  are  got  into  the  enemies'  camp;  he  has 
seduced  thee  by  his  deceitful  insinuations,  and  will  prevail  over  thee. 
No  faith  !  What  meanest  thou  ?  Instead  of  fighting  against,  thou 
art  parlying  with  the  enemy.  Dost  thou  believe  that  Jesus  is  the 
Son  of  God,  the  Saviour  of  sinners  ?  Yes,  sayest  thou,  but  I  have 
not  the  comfort  of  knowing  that  he  is  my  Saviour!  What  then? 
Wilt  thou  deny  thy  faith  for  want  of  comfort  ?  Desert  thy  Lord's 
banner  till  thou  hast  got  assurance  of  his  love  ?  Fight  on  against  thy 
Avorst  foe,  ulibelief,  and  cry  to  thy  best  friend,  Lord  increase  my  faith. 
The  battle  is  the  Lord's:  thy  strength  is  from  him:  "  be  of  good 
courage,  and  he  shall  strengthen  your  heart:  all  ye  that  hope  in 
the  Lord. "....Psalm,  xxxi.  24.  Lay  hold  on  eternal  life  ;  it  is 
the  free  gift  of  God.  Lay  hold  of  it  by  faith;  possess  and  enjoy  it 
now  in  the  belief  of  thy  heart;  hold  it  fast  in  hope:  quit  not  thy 
confidence  in  it;  so  shall  thy  heart  be  warm  with  love,  thy  spirit  fill- 
ed with  joy,  and  thine  arms  made  strong  to  fight,  until  thou  art 
crowned  in  eternal  glory.  Remember,  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  is  thy 
strength.  When  death,  the  last  enemy  comes,  holdfast  thy  faith, 
and  thou  shalt  sing,  victory  in  death. 

True  'tis  a  fight  with  many  foes.  Cheer  up  my  soul,  look  to  thy  Lord, 

For  us  too  great  and  strong;  For  strength  in  ev'ry  hour, 

But  Christ  hasconquer'd  all  our  woes,  Vict'ry  is  promis'd  in  his  word, 

The  battle  can't  be  long.  O'er  all  thine  en'mies  power.        M. 


22S  AUGUST   13. 

Having  a  form  of  godliness^bMt  denijing  tJie  power  thereof, 
from  such  (urn  a:vai)....2  Tim.  iii.  5. 

Paul  says,  "The  gospel  is  the  power  of  God,". ...Rom.  i.  16.... 
and  "Christ  is  the  power  of  God,"....l  Cor.  i.  24.. ..and  "that  our 
faith  standeth  in  the  power  of  God."....l  Cor.  ii.  5.  Hence  it  is 
plain,  that  godliness  is  of  a  powerful  nature  upon  the  soul :  it  con- 
sists not  in  form  and  shadow,  not  in  notion  and  speculation,  but  in 
the  real  enjoyment  of  Christ  in  the  heart  ;  and  in  an  experimental 
'.nowledge  of  the  grace  of  the  gospel  through  faith  :  it  is  the  grand 
concern  of  every  living  and  lively  member  of  Christ,  to  enjoy  more 
of  the  light,  life,  liberty,  and  power  of  Christ  and  his  gospel. 
While  those  who  have  only  the  form  of  godliness,  are  content  if 
their  heads  are  clear  in  the  notions  of  divine  truths,  if  they  can  but 
see  a  harmony  and  consistency  in  the  plan  of  salvation,  give  a  good 
account  of  the  doctrines  of  grace,  talk  fluently  about  them  and  con- 
tend earnestly  for  them  :  this  they  are  content  with  and  nothing  more 
they  seek  after.  There  is  a  species  of  the  Gnostics  among  us  at 
this  day  :  they  place  all  religion  in  head  knowledge,  while  they  are 
careless  about  real,  heart  experience  :  such  are  visible  and  manifest 
by  their  life  and  walk  ;  they  talk  high,  but  live  low  ;  they  soar  aloft 
in  notion,  but  live  and  walk  low  in  carnal  gratifications,  earthly  plea- 
sures, and  sensual  delights  :  still  the  form  of  godliness  exists  in  their 
heads,  but  their  hearts  are  void  of  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  and  the 
warm  influences  of  the  love  of  God  and  the  grace  of  Christ :  they 
deny  all  this  ;  if  not  in  tongue,  yet  in  life  and  action.  What  does 
the  apostle  advise  concerning  such  ?  To  aim  to  convince  them,  and 
strive  to  convert  their  hearts  to  the  power  of  the  truth  ?  No:  they  ' 
are  so  fortified  with  head  knowledge  that  you  cannot  reach  their 
hearts  ;  it  would  be  but  lost  labour  to  attempt  it ;  therefore,  from 
such  TURN  away:  leave  them  ;  you  can  do  them  no  good:  they 
may  do  you  much  harm.  1st.  In  catching  their  spirit  and  temper  ; 
it  is  contagious.  We  may  say  of  such,  as  Solomon  says  of  the  fu- 
rious man,  "  make  no  friendship  with  him,  with  him  thou  shalt  not  go, 
lest  thou  learn  his  ways,  and  get  a  snare  to  thy  soul."....Prov. 
xxii.  24,  25.  2d.  Such  professors  greatly  damp  and  abate  the  zeal  of 
faith,  the  joy  of  hope,  and  the  comfort  of  love,  which  arc  enjoyed 
in  communion  and  fellowship  with  God  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ ; 
as  they  have  no  heart  to  it,  nor  relish  for  it,  their  conversation  will 
not  savour  of  it ;  so  that  you  will  get  no  help  forward,  but  rather  be 
driven  backward.  3d.  You  will  be  in  danger  of  getting  a  notion  that 
you  can  enjoy  God  and  the  world  ;  have  fellowship  with  both  in 
your  heart,  while  a  train  of  notions  only  exist  in  your  head.  And, 
lastly,  you  will  learn  many  specious,  but  carnal  reasons,  for  throw- 
ing off  all  self-denial,  and  indulging  a  light,  tFifling,  worldly  spirit. 


AUGUST    14.  229 

That  which  is  boini  of  the  fie  s^  is  fiesh...John  ill.  6. 

To  learn  the  total  corruption  and  desperate  wickedness  of  human 
nature,  is  a  hard  lesson  to  flesh  and  blood:  to  have  no  confidence  in 
the  flesh;  to  consider  ourselves  upon  a  level  with  the  very  worst 
and  vilest  of  sinners,  yea,  "vvith  the  very  devils,  in  point  of  hope  of 
salvation  in  ourselves,  is  moftifying  to  our  human  pride  and  con- 
trary to  our  carnal  reason  :  "  but  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  purposed 
it,  to  stain  the  pride  of  all  glory,  and  to  bring  into  contempt  all 
the  honorable  of  the  earth.".. ..Isa.  xxiii.  9.  He  hath  effectually 
done  this,  by  appearing  in  our  nature,  and  by  the  doctrines  which 
he  taught.  All  flesh  is  become  so  totally  corrupt  and  abominable  in 
the  sight  of  God,  so  hopeless  and  helpless,  that  nothing  but  the  com- 
ing of  the  Son  of  (iod  could  bring  salvation  to  us:  he  became  the 
Son  of  man  that  he  might  seek  and  save  them  that  are  lost:  he  seeks 
us  before  we  seek  him :  he  saves  us  before  we  look  for  salvation 
from  him  :  he  comes  to  us  by  his  word  and  Spirit,  and  says,  "that 
which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh."  The  flesh  profiteth  nothing  to 
salvation:  they  that  are  in  the  flesh  cannot  please  God:  there  is  no 
good  thing  dwells  in  the  flesh:  therefore  no  good  thing  can  proceed 
from  it.  No  man,  unless  born  again  out  of  corrupt  nature,  born 
again  of  the  Spirit,  can  see  the  kingdom  of  God.  O  soul,  consi- 
der, in  order  to  raise  love  and  gratitude,  1st.  That  salvation  is  a 
work  quite  out  of  nature,  that  the  flesh  has  not  the  least  hand  in 
it,  nor  contributes  the  least  mite  towards  it :  nay,  it  is  totally  averse 
to  salvation  by  the  blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God.  2d. 
That  the  son  of  God  did  not  come  into  the  world  to  purchase  grace 
and  put  it  into  the  hands  of  nature,  to  make  our  flesh  holy,  righteous 
and  good  (as  some  foolishly  talk)  that  so  we  might  be  saved:  but 
he  saves  us  out  of  nature  ;  he  gives  us  a  new  birth  into  himself  by 
his  Spirit ;  he  leaves  the  flesh  as  he  found  it,  vile  ami  sinful,  no  good 
thing  in  it,  that  it  might  be  subdued  and  mortified  by  the  Spirit; 
yea  crucified,  as  accursed  and  devoted  t  death  and  destruction,  be- 
cause of  the  sin  which  dwelleth  in  it.  3d.  Art  thou  born  again  of 
the  Spirit,  so  as  to  believe  in  Christ  alone  for  salvation  ?  Beware  of 
having  the  least  confidence  in  the  flesh  :  aim  not  to  make  any  shew 
in  the  flesh :  this  ministers  to  the  pride  and  righteousness  of  the 
flesh.  Know,  thy  flesh,  with  its  corruption  and  lusts,  as  an  enemy 
to  thy  Saviour  and  to  the  peace  and  holiness  of  thy  soul:  treat  it  as 
such  :  keep  it  low  daily.  Lastly,  see  all  thy  righteousness  and  per- 
fection in  the  Son  of  God:  glory  only  in  him  and  of  him:  look  on 
thyself,  though  ever  so  vile,  yet  shining  most  gloriously  in  the  sight 
of  God,  in  the  glorious  robe  and  glittering  garments  of  him  who  is 
"the  Loud  our  RiGHTEousNEss."...tJer.  xxiii.  6. 


230  AUGtrST   15. 

But  if  ht  thus  say,  I  have  no  delight  in  thee;  behold  here 
am  J,  let  him  do  to  me  as  scemeth  good  unto  him.... 
^Sam.  XV.  26. 

Here  is  majesty  in  distress,  a  kingdom  in  confusion,  and  the 
king's  roral  l\eai t  strvick  with  a  panic.  Every  circumstance  concurs 
to  heighten  poor  David's  sorrow:  his  own  son  had  stole  away  the 
hearts  of  his  subjects,  raised  a  most  unnatural  rebellion  against  his 
roya!  father,  and  caused  him  to  llee  from  his  city.  Very  excellently 
says  one,  "  Let  a  child  of  God  be  but  two  or  three  years  without  an 
affliction,  and  he  is  almost  good  for  nothing  :  he  cannot  pray,  nor 
meditate,  nor  discourse  at  that  rate  he  was  wont  to  do  :  but  when  a 
new  affliction  comes,  he  finds  his  tongue;  he  comes  to  his  knees 
with  fervency,  and  lives  at  another  rate."  Perhaps  David  was  never 
more  weaned  from  self-confidence,  nor  did  his  faith  ever  run  higher, 
nor  was  his  soul  bowed  lower,  nor  did  he  ever  breathe  with 
more  humble  submission  to  divine  sovereignty  than  at  this  time. 
O,  how  does  his  grace  shine  in  this  speech  !  As  though  he  had  said 
to  Zadock  the  priest,  "  Return  with  the  ark  :  1  hope  I  shall  have  the 
Lord's  real  presence  with  me,  though  I  have  n©t  the  symbol  of  it : 
I  see  myself  in  his  hands:  I  firmly  believe  God's  everlasting  love 
to  me:  he  is  my  Saviour  and  my  salvation:  I  know  my  immortal 
soul  is  safe :  how  he  will  direct  the  event  of  this  dark  providence,  I 
know  not.  If  it  appears  that  the  Lord  has  no  delight  in  me,  as  the 
king  of  his  people,  if  he  suffers  my  crown  and  kingdom  to  be  taken 
from  me,  his  will  be  done ;  he  has  a  sovereign  right  to  pull  down 
one  and  set  up  another.  By  him  kings  reign:  by  his  will  they  are 
deposed.  Behold,  here  1  am,  let  him  do  unto  me  as  it  seemeth  good 
unto  him.  Love  makes  all  tilings  work  together  for  good."  O 
christian,  dost  thou  not  admire  his  faith  in  his  God,  his  resignation 
\jb  the  divine  will,  his  submission  to  sovereign  purposes,  and  his  unre- 
setved' acquiescence  with  the  counsel  of  the  Lord?  Let  that  man 
blush,  who  would  dare  imp-^qich  the  character  or  speak  of  the  faith 
of  David  in  a  diminutive  sense,  as  though  it  was  of  the  pigmy  kind, 
nbt  to  l)e  compared  with  the  faith  of  a  christian.  O,  for  more  of  the 
grace  of  faith,  to  follow  the  bright  example  of  this  Old  Testament 
saint:  though  his  o\s\\  beloved  son, though  his  own  dear  subjects  were 
against  him  ;  though  driven  from  his  palace,  yet  the  presence  of  his 
God  and  the  power  of  his  Spirit  was  with  him.  Well  might  David 
say,  "  it  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted.".. ..Psalm  cxix.  71. 
Ever  remember,  O  soul,  whatever  thy  afflctions  may  be,  whoever 
may  be  against  thee  to  heighten  them  and  aggravate  thy  sorrows, 
yet  the  Lovd  lialh  said,  ''  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee." 
....Heb.  xiii.  5. 

Iklav  we  possess  that  humble  frame,      And  trusts  and  waits  upon  his  name, 
Which  casts  the  soul  on  God,  Tho'  chastcn'd  by  his  rod. 


AUGUST   16.  231 

Thus  saith  thy  Lord  the.  Lord,  and  thy  God  zcho pleadeih 
the  cause  of  his  people,  &,\\...Isa.  li.  22. 

Thou  poor  sovil,  ait  thou  almost  at  thy  wits'  end  ;  drunk  with 
trouble  and  intoxicated  with  afllittion  ;  over  thee  do  men  insult  and 
Satan  triumph  ?  Are  they  saying  to  thee  ?  "  Bow  down,"  thou  poor 
insignificant  wretch,  "  that  we  may  go  over  thee,"  you  a  christian, 
you  are  not  what  you  profess  :  in  the  lowliness  of  thy  mind,  and  in 
the  meekness  of  thy  heart,  dost  thou  take  all  this  ?  And  as  it  were, 
hast  thou  laid  thy  body  on  the  ground  and  sufferedst  thyself  to  be 
walked  over  ?  All  this  cannot  satisfy  the  fury  of  thine  enemies. 
Wherein  art  thou  to  take  comfort  under  all  this  ?  Verily,  from, 
THUS  sAiTH  THY  LoRD.  Thy  Lord  :  mind  that :  however  men 
treat  thee,  they  cannot  take  thy  Lord  nor  his  love  from  thee  ;  nor 
should  they  at  any  time  disturb  thy  peace,  or  destroy  thy  comfort  in 
him;  for  the  Lord  IS  thy  God  :  thy  is  again  repeated  :  why?  that 
thou   shouldst  take  special  notice  of  it ;  be  doubly  confident  in  it. 

0  the  sweetness  of  these  pronouns,  my  and  thy.  The  precious- 
ness  of  the  gospel  (says  Luther)  consists  in  them.  "  Who  pleadeth 
the  cause  of  his  people  :"  who  doth  this  but  Jesus. ''  Then  he  is  tht 
Lord:  the  Lord  and  thy  God.  Canst  thou  desire  a  better?  Wouldst 
thou  look  to  any  other  pleader?  This  righteous  advocate  hath  fully 
undertaken  thy  cause,  without  fee  or  reward  :  yea,  such  his  amaz- 
ing love  for  thee,  such  his  astonishing  readiness  to  serve  thee,  that 
unsought,  unasked,  he  voluntarily  undertook  to  plead  thy  desperate 
cause.  Thou  art  not  asked  to  put  it  into  his  hands  :  but  art  thou 
content  and  happy  to  see  it  there  ?  Canst  thou  help  loving  and  thank- 
ing such  a  dear  advocate,  such  a  blessed  Mediator  ?  This  precious 
pleader  hath  two  points  to  carry  for  us.  1st.  To  acquit  us  from 
every  charge  of  the  law,  every  condemnation  of  justice,  and  all  the 
fury  of  divine  wrath  due  to  our  sins.  2d.  To  obtain  for  us  the  com- 
forting, renewing,  sanctifying  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost :  for 
these  he  pleads  the  perfect  atonement  of  his  death  and  the  spotless 
obedience  of  his  life.  O,  let  what  he  ever  pleads  before  the  throne, 
be  the  constant  objects  of  our  faith  :  so  shall  we  triumph  over  all  the 
powers  of  darkness,  the  evil  of  sin,  the  curse  of  the  law,  and  even 
sing  victory  in  distress.  Mind  this  precious  word  and  rejoice  : 
"  the  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  his  people.  He  will  beautify  the  meek 
with  salvation.". ...Psalm  cxlix.  4.  Then  do  you  take  pleasure  in 
the  Lord  and  glory  in  his  salvation. 

1  shall  prevail  for  Jesus  pleads,  The  faith  of  this  makes  me  rejoice, 
My  cause  against  my  foes  :  To  walk  the  ways  of  God  : 

My  soul  on  death  and  danger  treads,     'Tis  sweet  to  h«ar  his  lovinj  voice 
Quite  safe  from  all  their  woes.  All  thro'  the  heav'nly  road         M. 


232  AUGUST   17. 

Jesus  saidy  zc/ij/  ore  vc  troubled F   And  ivhij  do  thoughts 
arise  iu your  hearts?. ...Luke  xxiv.  38. 

^Help,  O  help  us,  thou  dear  Lord,  v.ho  spoke  these  words  to 
thy  affrighted  disciples,  to  gather  some  sweet  consolation  from  them 
to  our  hearts  this  night  :  we  know  thou  prayest  for  us,  when  thou 
prayedst  for  all  who  should  believe  on  thee.. ..John  xvii.  20.  O  speak 
in  life  and  power  these  words  to  our  troubled  hearts,  and  forbid  thft- 
rising  thoughts  of  distress.  Thine  is  the  power  :  thine  shall  be  the 
glory.  1st.  We  here  see,  though  their  dear  Lord  is  present,  yet 
his  beloved  disciples  are  troubled :  yea,  and  though  he  had  but  that 
moment  pronounced  peace  unto  you,  yet  fears  again  arose  in 
their  hearts  :  they  were  as  we  are,  flesh,  as  well  as  spirit :  men 
of  like  passions  with  us.  The  frights,  fears  and  troubles  which  na- 
ture is  subject  to,  discompose  spiritual  frames  of  disciples.  But, 
2d.  They  do  not  alter  our  state,  nor  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
Christ  :  this  is  a  cordial  under  all  heart  troubles,  and  the  rising  of 
all  evil,  blasphemous,  filthy  or  horrid  thoughts.  For,  3d.  Christ 
is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities  :  he  sympathizes  with 
us  in  what  is  distressing  to  us  :  he  asks,  why  are  yc  troubled  ?  Why 
do  ye  give  way  to  unreasonable  fears  and  terrors,  which  distract  and 
distress  your  mind  ?  4th.  He  takes  pains  to  remove  them:  says  he, 
"  Behold  my  hands  and  my  feet,  that  it  is  I  myself;"  no  other  than 
vour  dear  andla\'ing  Saviour.  O  the  condescending  grace  of  Christ ! 
He  manifests  himself  to  us.  A  sight  of  a  risen  Christ  by  faith,  ex- 
pels troubles  and  fear  from  our  hearts.  Therefore,  5th.  Whatever 
troubles,  fears,  dejections,  terrors,  or  distress  arise  in  our  hearts, 
we  are  encouraged  with  all  freedom  of  soul  and  boldness  of  hope, 
to  go  to  him.  Now,  to  the  shame  of  our  hearts  and  the  sorrow  of 
our  souls,  have  not  you  and  I  acted  contrary  to  this  ?  Instead  of  sim- 
ply going  to  Christ  Avith  our  heart  troubles  and  soul  distresses,  have 
we  not  questioned  Christ's  love  to  us  and  care  for  us  ?  Thus  satan 
gets  an  advantage  over  us  :  our  Saviour  gets  no  glory  from  us.  O, 
fools  that  we  are,  and  slow  of  heart  to  believe  that  Jesus  died  for  our 
sins,  rose  again  for  owr  justification,  and  that  he  is  able  to  save 
unto  the  uttermost.. ..all  them  who  come  unto  God  by  him,  seeing 
he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  them....Heb.  vii.  25.  Up 
then  with  faith  and  down  with  fears :  away  with  all  thoughts  that 
trouble  our  hearts.  Look  from  within  :  look  up.  Jesus  is  before 
the  throne  for  us:  "in  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts  within  me, 
thy  comforts  delight  my  soul:"  "though  1  walk  in  the  midst  of 
trouble,  thou  wilt  revive  me."....Psalm  xciv.  19.  and  cxxxviii.  7. 

My  troubles.  Lord,  are  known  to  thee,  While  I  pass  thro'  this  vale  of  tears, 
Tlioii  lia-.t  a  loving  heart,  How  oft  my  spirit  sinks, 

To  feel  wiih  tender  sym|,athy,  Daily  beset  with  doubts  and  fears  ; 

And  bid  them  all  depart.  But  Jesus  df  me  thinks.  M. 


AUGUST   13.  233 

But  the  lad  knew  not  any  thing :  onlij  Jonathan  and  David 
knezv  the  matter. ...\Sam.  xx.  39. 

Had  any  one  asked  this  lad,  wliat  was  Jonathan  doing  in  the 
field?  He  would  doubtless  have  replied,  only  shootin;^  arrows  foi- his 
amusement,  and  I  ran  and  brought  them  lo  him.  This  was  all  he 
knew  of  the  matter.  But  O,  there  was  a  much  greater  matter  here  ; 
no  less  than  the  precious  life  of  David  was  at  stake.  Love  directed 
these  arrows  :  the  voice  of  love  proclaimed  by  them  David's  danger, 
or  his  safety.  The  fatal  word,  is  not  the  arrow  b : yond  thee  ; 
minds  David  of  his  danger,  and  warns  him  to  flee  for  his  life. 
Observe,  1st.  Never  did  more  generous,  fiithful  love  dwell  in  a 
mere  human  breast,  than  in  Jonathan's  to  David.  But  it  diminishes 
like  the  light  of  the  stars  when  the  sun  appears,  compared  to  that 
infinitely  greater  and  most  intense  love,  v  hich  dwells  in  the  heart 
of  our  spiritual  Jonathan,  i.  e.  the  gift  of  the  Lord  :  this  Jesus  is 
to  all  his  Davids,  i.  e.  beloved  ones.  2d.  There  was  a  secret  be- 
tween Jonathan  and  David,  on  which  his  life  depended.  So  there  is 
between  Jesus  and  us,  on  wliich  the  life  of  our  immortal  souls  de- 
pend. "  The  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him,  and 
he  will  shew  them  his  covenant. "....Psalm  xxv.  14.  His  covenant 
love  and  grace,  and  the  perpetuity  of  them  :  that  he  has  loved  us 
■with  an  everlasting  love,  and  that  his  grace  shall  never  forsake  us, 
but  shall  bring  us  safe  to  glory.  Therefore  our  souls  are  safe  :  our 
salvation  is  sure.  The  Lord  forbids  our  fears:  "  Thou  shalt  not  be 
afraid  for  the  terror  by  night,  nor  for  the  arrow  that  flicth  by  day.".... 
t*salm  xci.  5.  Neither  sin,  death  or  hell,  shall  ever  prevail  over 
you.  3d.'  The  arrows  were  either  behind,  beside,  or  beyond  the 
lad:  just  so  are  these  declarations  of  God's  everlasting  love  to 
LADS  in  religion:  they  do  not  receive  them  in  faith.  4th.  As  the 
lad  picked  up  the  arrows,  but  knew  not  the  matter;  so  do  they  pick 
up  words,  but  understand  not  the  secret  of  the  Lord  in  them:  their 
words  betray  it ;  for,  say  they,  "if  there  is  such  a  covenant,  if  God 
loves  me  with  an  everlasting  love,  if  Christ  has  finished  salvation 
for  me,  if  all  is  of  grace,  without  any  condition  of  works,  then  no 
matter  how  I  live,  1  will  take  my  full  swing  in  sin  and  wickt-dness." 
Such  LADS  are  not  in  the  secret;  they  arc  strangers  to  the  power  of 
covenant  love  and  faithfulness  ;  their  poor  hearts  are  in  bondage  lo 
the  law;  they  know  not  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  makes  us  free: 
it  lies  between  the  gift  of  the  Lord  and  iiis  Davids,  or  beloved  ones, 
only.  Now,  if  you  are  a  man  of  understanding  in  the  love  of  the 
Lord,  you  will  glory  in  it:  study  the  height  and  depth,  and  length 
and  breadth  of  the  love  of  Christ,  which  passeth  knowledge,  that 
you  may  be  fillecl  with  all  the  fulnt  ss  of  Cod....Fph.  lii.  IS,  19. 
Vol.  IL  1^  t 


234  AUGUST    19. 

The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  zcith  Ihij  spirit. ...2  Tim.  iv.  22. 

A  MOST  precious  benediction  !  How  blind  are  all  who  deny  the 
divinity  of  Christ!  How  miserable  are  all  who  live  without  the  pre- 
sence of  Christ!  How  ignorant  are  all  Avho  know  not  that  such  a 
blessing  is  to  be  enjoyed  !  How  stupid  are  all  those  who  seek  it  not ! 
Art  not  thou,  O  christian,  wanting,  in  not  more  earnestly  seeking, 
and  constantly  praying  for  more  of  the  presence  of  thy  Lord  ?  Con- 
sider what  is  implied  in  this  wish.  It  is  heaven  in  the  heart,  glory 
in  the  soul,  to  have  Christ  with  our  spirits:  it  disposes  and  qualifies 
the  soul  for  heavenly  glory.  For,  1st.  Christ's  presence  sweetens 
our  bad  tempers  and  subdues  our  unruly  passions.  Boisterous  waves 
are  changed  into  a  profound  calm :  rough  winds  are  at  peace :  foam- 
ing billows  are  still :  there  is  the  calm  sun-shine  of  heart-felt  joy 
within:  all  is  serene  and  happy  without.  Christ's  presence  causes 
hiiughty  pride  and  furious  anger's  absence.  2d.  It  fills  the  soul 
with  love:  love  to  God  and  man.  We  cannot  enjoy  the  presence 
of  Jesus  without  loving  him  as  our  Lord.  It  is  love  that  causes 
him  to  be  present  witli  our  spirits,  and  our  spirits  catch  the  flame 
of  love  from  him :  and  if  we  love  God,  this  love  will  diffuse  itself 
to  our  brethren  also.  3d.  Christ's  presence  counsels  and  directs  us 
in  all  our  difficulties.  We  are  often  in  the  dark,  both  as  to  provi- 
dence and  grace :  in  things  temporal  and  spiritual :  as  to  our  bodies 
and  souls :  biit  the  presence  of  the  Lord  causes  light :  solves  every 
difficulty  ;  and  makes  our  way  plain  before  our  eyes,  4th.  It  enables 
us  to  bear  up  imdcr  all  our  distresses.  Christ's  presence  comforts  our 
hearts  while  afflictions  bow  down  our  spirits.  5th.  Chtist's  presence 
fortifies  us  with  strength  to  fight  manfully  against  the  world,  the  flesh 
and  the  devil.  We  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  strengthening  us : 
it  is  out  of  his  fulness  we  receive  grace  for  our  every  need.  6th.  The 
presence  of  Christ  animates  us  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty,  and 
enlivens  the  exercise  of  every  grace,  of  faith,  hope,  love,  patience,  Sec. 
Lastly,  Christ's  presence  makes  sin  hateful,  our  souls  humble,  the 
world  contemptible,  temptations  tolerable,  self-denial  easy,  the  cross 
glorious,  satan  flee  from  us,  hell  vanquished,  death  conquered,  the 
passage  to  glory  delightful,  and  heaven  most  earnestly  longed  for, 
that  without  interruption  we  may  be  ever  present  with  the  Lord. 
(),  use  every  means  to  enjoy  the  Lord's  presence.  Avoid  all  things 
which  may  cause  him  to  withdraw  it:  "  Grieve  not  the  holy  Spirit  of 
(iod."....Lph.  iv.  30. 

Our  spirits  with  thy  presence  bles'?,  To  know  thy  love,  and  feel  thy  ptace, 
Thou  Lord  of  all  our  joy,  Creates  our  heav'n  below  ; 

That  we  may  walk  in  righteousncbs,  To  pray  for  this  we  will  not  cease, 
Aiid  nought  our  peace  destroy.  While  on  to  heav'n  we  go.         M. 


AUGUST   20.  235 

Earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  idikh  was  once  delivered 
unto  the  saints. ...Jude,  3. 

When   Paul  was  preaching  the  most  important  truths  of  the 
everlasting  gospel  at  Corinth,  he  was  brought  before  the  judgment- 
seat  and  accused  for  his  doctrine.     Poor  Ciallio  would  not  concern 
himself  about  the  matter:   he  looked  on  it  all  as  a  strife  of  words, 
and  a  contention   about  names.     I  will  be  no  judge,  says  he.     lie 
cared  for  none  of  these  things :   his  heart  was  totally  unacquainted 
with  the  faith  of  God's  saints:  but  art  thou  a  partaker  of  like  pre- 
cious faith  with  the  apostles  ?   And  canst  tliou  be  a  (rallio  too  ?   Know, 
if  thou  wilt  not  contend  for  the  faith,  hell  and  earth  are  in  arms  to 
contend  against  it.     What  is  the   faith  here  spoken  of?   1st.   The 
doctrines  of  faith  revealed  in  the  word ;  the  whole  scheme  of  evan- 
gelical  truths,  inspired  by  the   Spirit  of  truth :   these   are  received 
by  faith;   are  the  rule,  the  wairant,  the  support,  and  the  glory  and 
joy  of  faith:   such  as  the  doctrine  of  the   trinity   in   unity  :   their 
everlasting  covenant  of  grace:  the  result  of  everlasting  love  to  the 
elect:   the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  Ciod  to  save  us  :  our  regenera- 
tion by  the  Spirit  :   full  and  complete  salvation  by  grace,  8cc.     2d. 
The   object  of  faith  :    Christ   received  into  the  heart  by   faith,  by 
whom  we  have  peace  with  God,  pardon  of  sin  from  him,  justifica- 
tion before  him,  boldness  to  draw  nigh  to  him,  and  SMeet  fellowship 
with  him.     Now  these  truths  arc  delivered  to,  and  received  by  saints. 
Says  Jude,  "Beloved,  it  was  needful  that  I  should  exhort  you".. ..to 
what?  Namely,  for  the  sake  of  peace  and  quietness,  not  to  dispute 
and  contend  for  this  faith?  No  ;  but  tocoxTKNo  k.arnf.sti.v,  hear- 
tily, with  warmth  of  zeal,  with  a  holy  glow   of  aflection,  in  good 
earnest.     Disciple,  improve  this  word  of  exhortation.     1st.  Consi- 
der, the   doctrines  of  the   gospel  and  the  faith  of  tliem  are  of  the 
greatest  moment,  both  to  your  being  and  well-being  as  a  christian. 
Says  Luther,  "One  little  point  of  doctrine  is  worth  more  than  hea- 
ven and  earth."     Some   ignorantly  call  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel 
mere  opinions  ;  just  as  if  it  was  indifferent  whether  believed  or  not. 
2d.  Stand  reproved,   ye  lukewarm  Laodicean  spirits,  who  have  not 
a  word  to  say  in  defence  of  your  most  holy  faith,  but  under  a  pre-' 
tence  for  peace,  are  cool  and  indifferent  about  truth.     Truth  is  too 
great  a  price  to  purchase  peace  at.     But,  3d.   Remember  faith  works 
by  love  :  carry  the  fire  of  love  into  all  your  contentions:   eye  Christ 
in  all :   aim  at  his  glory  by  all  :  pray  to  have  his  mind  accompany 
all  :  with  love  and  pity  to  all,  pray  him  to  bless  all  you  contend  with, 
if  perad venture  he  may  give  them  repentance  to  the  acknowledging 
the  truth.. .. Tit.  i.  1. 


236  AUGUST  21. 

For  the  Lord  hath  called  thee,  as  a  ivoman  forsaken  and 
grieved  in  spirit,  and  a  wife  of  youth  ichen  thou  wast 
refused,  saith  thy  CTod...'.Isa.  liv.  6. 

This   Avas   literally   fulfilled,    -when  Christ's  church  was  first 
gathered  to  him  in  the  days  of  his  flesh.     Scarce  were  the  disciples 
called  and  inarried  to  Christ  the  loving-  hridegrooni,  by  faith,  but  he 
was  taken  away  from  them  hy  a  sudden  and  violent  death  :   they  were 
then  like  a  woman  bereaved  of  her  afiiectionate  husband,  who  mourned 
and  grieved  for  her  great  and  affecting  loss  :  they  were  then  as  a 
■wife  of  youth  just  married,  and  soon  became  as  widows  whom  the 
■world  refused  and  rejected.     But  here  lay  all  their  comfort  of  faith 
and  joy  of  hope,  the  Lord   had  called  them,  and   he   would  never 
forsake  them  :   though  death's  relentless  arm  snatched  Christ  from 
them,  yet  his  power  could  not  hold  him:  by  his  own  omnijx)tent 
power  Jesus  raised  himself;   and  because  of  his  everlasting  love  for 
them,  he  appeared  again  \uito  them  ;   and  now  they  are  all  gathered 
home  to   the   full  enjoyment  of  their  heavenly  bridegroom,  never, 
never  more  to  part  from  him.     Disciple,  how  did  the  Lord  call  thee  ? 
Wast  not  thou  as  a  woman  forsaken  by  thy  husband,  and  grieved  in 
spirit?   Wast  not  the   law  the  wife  of  thy  youth  ?    Didst  not  thou 
live  and  comfort  thyself  in  its  embraces  ?   When  the  Lord  called  thee, 
did  not  thy  legal  hopes  and  legal  comforts  forsake  thee  ?  When  you 
found  your  husband  speak  sharp  to  you,  and  look  stern  upon  you, 
was  not  you  grieved  in  spirit  ?  Was  you  not  disconsolate,  at  your  wit's 
end?  Didst  thou  not  cry  out,  O  wretched  that  I  am  ?  Did  not  terror 
beset  thee,  and  an  horrible  dread  overwhelm  thee  ?   When  all  hope 
and  help  failed,   and  despair  of  living  by  thy  first  husband  came  upon 
thee,    O  the  love  of  Christ  ;  then,  then  he  openly  and  comfortably 
espoused  thee  to  himself  in  the  sweet  bands  of  faith:   he  became 
thine  in  sen-ible  enjoyment  ;  and  thou  becamest  his  before  all  the 
world.     What  if  thou  art  rejected  and  refused  of  the  world  ?   What 
if  thou  art  vileness  and  deformity  in  thine  own  eyes  ?   Yet  the  Lord 
loves  thee  :   he  chose  thee :   he  has  put  his  rich  robe  of  righteousness, 
his  glorious  garments  of  salvation  upon   thee.     Now  thou  art  pre- 
cious in  his   sight;   lovely  in  his  eyes:   he   has  put  his  holy  Spirit 
within  thee  :  he  says  of  thee,  "Thou  art  all  fair  my  love,  there  is 
NO  spot  in  thee.". ...Song  iv.  7.     "  There  is  no  condemnation  against 
thee.".... Rom.  viii.  I.    "There  is  no  separation  from  my  love.".... 
Rom.  viii  39.     Be  a  chaste  virgin  to  thy  heavenly  bridegroom  :  write 
it  upon  the  table  of  thy  heart,  "In  God  is  my  salvation  and  my 
glory  :  the  rock  of  my  strength,  and  my  refuge  is  in  God."....Psalra 
Ixii.  7. 

Yc  happy  souls,  married  l)y  faith,  Daily  attend  to  what  he  saith, 

To  the  dear  Lamb  of  God,  Think  not  his  deallHgs  odd.       M. 


AUGUST   22.  257 

Why  ivcepest  tJiou?   )Vhom  seckcst  tliouf...JoJni  xx.  15. 

Profession  of  Christ,  without  affection  to  him,  leaves  the 
heart  in  dead  formality.  What  is  religion  without  the  affections  ? 
What  the  highest  pretension,  the  greatest  depth  of  knowledge, 
Avithout  love  to  our  dear  Saviour  ?  Here  poor  Mary  discovers  her  af- 
fection to  her  Lord,  by  weeping  for  and  seeking  after  his  crucified 
body.  The  fire  of  love  in  the  heart  carries  out  the  soul  beyond  itself. 
Tell  me,  Sir,  says  she  to  Jesus  (supposing  him  to  be  the  gardener) 
where  thou  hast  laid  him,  and  I  will  take  him  away.  Poor  weak 
being,  her  affections  went  beyond  her  strength  ;  but,  to  her  in- 
expressible joy  and  comfort,  Jesus  manifested  himself  to  her. 
This  was  written  for  our  instruction.  Come,  ye  weeping,  seeking 
souls,  learn  a  lesson  of  encouragement  and  comfort  to-night,  from 
your  sister's  conduct  and  your  Lord's  dealings  with  her.  Observe, 
1st.  Christ's  beloved  disciples  have  their  weeping  and  their  seeking 
seasons.  They  weep  because  they  love  Christ :  they  seek  him  be- 
cause they  cannot  be  liappy  without  him.  So  the  church,  "I  sought 
him  whom  my  soul  loveth  :  I  sought  him  but  I  found  him  not.".... 
Song  iii.  1.  Still  slie  goes  on  seeking:  seeking  Christ  is  an  evidence 
of,  and  discovers  love  to  him  ;  seeking  him  sorrowing  and  weeping, 
shews  the  ardency  of  affection.  Poor  distressed  sinner,  who  sees  thy 
want  of  Christ,  knows  thy  all  is  in  him,  and  cannot  be  happy  without 
him,  know  this  is  from  a  dart  of  love  :  Christ  hath  wounded  and  ra- 
vished thy  heart  w  ith  his  love :  what  doth  he  say  to  thee  ?  "  Thou  hast 
ravished  my  heart,  my  sister,  my  spouse.".. ..Song  iv.  9.  O,  there  is  a 
mutual  affection  between  Christ's  heart,  and  thine.  2d.  Jesus  was 
near  to  Mary,  though  she  knew  him  not  ;  he  is  near  to  every  weep- 
ing, seeking  soul,  though  they  have  not  the  comfort  of  it.  3d.  He 
discovers  his  aPlections  by  his  questions  :  "  Why  weepcst  thou  ? 
Whom  seekest  thou  ?"  Our  fears  are  seen  ;  our  sorrows  are  felt  by 
our  sympathizing  Lord  ;  our  most  silent  sighs  enter  his  ears,  and 
pierce  his  heart :  but  he  will  know  the  cause  of  our  sorrows  from  our 
own  lips.  Then  pour  out  your  hearts  before  him,  tell  him  of  your 
complaints.  Do  this  in  the  assurance  of  faith  that  he  Avill  manifest 
himself  to  you.  For,  4th.  He  did  so  to  Mary :  he  called  her  by  her 
name,  Mary,  which  signifies  exalted:  she  was  exalted  to  know 
Christ's  voice,  to  taste  his  love,  to  be  his  sister  and  his  spouse,  to  be 
Hiarried  to  Christ,  and  to  live  in  sweet  union  to  him  and  communion 
with  him.  O  soul,  see  whence  your  seeking,  sorrowing  frames 
spring !  See  the  blessed  end  in  which  they  terminate.  O,  bless  Jesus 
for  a  heart  to  seek  him ;  bless  him,  though  you  seek  him  sorrowing. 
Thy  Lord  hath  assured  thee,  "every  one  that  asketh  receivcth,  and 
he  that  seeketh  findeth."....Luke.  xi.  10. 


?38  AUGUST   23. 

Tlicy  crucified  him.. ..Matt,  xxvii.  35. 

A  short  seutcnce,  replete  witlrthe  greatest  importance  toa  world 
of  sinners:  each  word  in  it  contains  matter  of  sorrow,  wonder  and 
joy.  Here  is  a  fund  for  meditation.  O  christian,  time  can  ncA'er 
explore  its  depths:  it  will  be  the  glory  of  eternity  to  sing  of,  won- 
der and  adore  a  once  crucified  Jesus.  Let  us  consider  the  agents.... 
the  work.. ..and  the  subject.  1st.  The  agents,  they.  Who?  An- 
gels ?  No  ;  they  gaze  and  wonder  at  the  cruel,  awful  deed,  but  share 
not  in  it.  Devils  ?  No  ;  they  instigate  to  it,  they  shout  and  applaud 
the  deed,  but  effect  it  not.  No ;  the  work  is  done  by  beings,  little 
lower  than  the  angels,  yet  not  devils,  but  men. ...men  of  devilish  na- 
tures, cursed  passions,  and  wicked  hands:  with  these  they  seize  the 
innocent  victim,  doomed  to  direful  agonies  and  accursed  death.  2d. 
The  work:  they  crucified.  O  the  bloody  deed !  Heaven  that  hour 
let  fall  a  tear.  There  hangs.. ..who?  A  man  like  us  ?  Yes,  but  im- 
maculate, innocent:  yea  more,  the  Son  of  God  :  God  and  man  in 
one  Christ.  The  Lord  of  life  and  glory  hung  a  spectacle  to  men  and 
angels:  nailed  his  innocent  hands  and  tender  feet  to  the  transverse 
wood,  to  bleed,  and  groan,  and  die.  Say,  why?  Consider,  3d.  The 
subject,  HIM  :  Jesus  Christ,  th^  anointed  Saviour.  As  God  he  lov- 
ed sinners  from  all  eternity :  as  man  he  was  born  to  make  sinners 
righteous  by  his  life,  and  to  take  away  their  sins  by  his  death.  The 
work  is  done :  on  the  cross  he  finished  it.  What  are  the  effects  ? 
Seest  thou,  O  sinner,  where  hangs  all  our  hope  ? 
Touched  by  the  cross  we  live. 
Ever  view  then,  O  soul,  the  sovereign  cure  of  death,  the  eternal 
source  of  life  ;  God  and  man  in  one  Christ,  on  the  accursed  tree,  to 
make  thee  blessed  and  happy.  Such  is  the  love  of  thy  Saviour  : 
such  is  his  salvation.  Where  is  your  faith?  O  look  and  look,  and 
look  again,  till  your  whole  soul  loves  him.  Is  sin  your  grief,  and 
pain  and  burden  ?  O,  the  load  of  pain  and  grief  which  Jesus  bore  ! 
The  iniquities  of  us  all:  he  has  taken  them  all  away  by  his  one 
sacrifice.  Remember  this  :  plead  this  before  the  Lord  ;  the  faith  of 
this  brings  hope  to  the  most  desperate  and  vile  :  the  best  of  saints 
have  no  other.  With  this  faith  and  this  hope  thou  mayest  draw 
nigh  to  God  ;  plead  boldly  before  justice  itself;  challenge  the  laAV  to 
lay  ought  to  thy  charge ;  face  death  ;  resist  and  lepel  satan  M'ith  thy 
Saviour's  dying  words,  it  is  finishkd. 

Thy  dying  love,  thy  rising  pow'r  'Midst  a'l  my  fears,  and  doubts  and 
My  Saviour  dear,  I'd  sing:  I-ord,  siill  superior  rise,  [woes, 

In  thee  I'd  glory  ev'ry  hour,  That  I  may  triumph  o'er  my  foes, 
Till  thou  to  glory  bring.  And  meet  thee  in  the  skies.      M. 


AUGUST  24.  239 

Is  the  Lord  among  us  or  7iot?....Exod.  xvii.  7.. 

A  VERY  awful  question  to  come  out  of  the  mouth  of  any  child 
of  God.  What  was  the  cause  of  it?  Why  ihe  Lord  tried  their 
fiuth:  that  fails  them:  nature  murmurs  :  the  flesh  wants  gratifica- 
tion: they  are  athirst :  they  tempt  the  Lord:  ihey  chide  Moses:  he 
is  in  distress:  he  cries  to  the  Lord,  "  What  shall  T  do  unto  this  peo- 
ple ?  They  be  ready  to  stone  me."  Mr.  Henry  judiciously  observes 
here,  "  they  do  in  effect  suppose  that  Moses  was  an  impostor  ; 
Aaron  a  deceiver  ;  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire  a  mere  sham  and 
illusion,  which  had  imposed  on  their  senses;  that  long  series  of  mi- 
racles, which  had  saved,  rescued,  and  fed  them,  a  chain  of  cheats; 
and  the  promise  of  Canaan  a  banter  upon  ihem.  It  was  all  so, 
if  the  Lord  was  not  among  them.  Note,  it  is  a  great  provoca- 
tion to  God,  for  us  to  question  his  presence,  providence,  or  pro- 
mise, especially  for  his  people  to  do  it,  who  are  so  much  obliged 
to  trust  him."  Well  might  Moses  call  this  place  i\I?.ssah  and 
Meribah,  that  is,  temptation  and  strife.  Disciple,  wast  thou  never 
at  Massah  and  Meribah?  Did  you  never  tempt  your  God,  by  for- 
getting his  past  dealings  of  love  and  favor  to  you  ;  passing  over  the 
sweet  experiences  of  thy  soul,  in  former  days  of  light  and  liberty, 
peace  and  love  ;  calling  all  in  question,  and  ready  to  set  all  down  as 
mere  delusions?  Hast  thou  not  been  ready  to  question  whether  the 
Lord  is  with  thee  or  not  ?  O,  if  thou  hast  not,  I  know  one  who 
has,  and  with  grief  of  soul  testifies  of  it,  with  shame  of  face  con- 
fesses it,  and  with  humble  prayer  would  cry,  God  be  merciful  to 
ME  a  sinner !  O  how  trying  this  to  a  God  of  patience  I  How  dis- 
honoring this  to  a  God  of  love  !  But  his  patience  fails  not  ;  his  love 
never  changes  ;  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever  :  may  this  shame  our 
unbelief.  Again,  wast  thou  never  at  Meribah?  At  the  waters  of 
strife  ?  Hast  thou  not  contended  with  the  Lord's  prophets,  as  though 
they  had  invited  thee  from  the  land  of  nature  into  the  wilderness, 
to  die  for  thirst  after  the  waters  of  salvation  ?  Hast  not  thou  with  the 
Psalmist,  "said  in  thy  haste,  all  men  are  liars  ?....Psalra  cxvi.  11. 
God  has  forgotten  to  be  gracious  :  his  promise  is  to  come  to  an  end 
forever  :  I  shall  never  see  the  light  of  the  living."  I  know  one  who 
can  hold  up  his  hand  and  plead  guilty.  O,  let  us  rebuke  ourselves 
for  our  unbelief ;  cry  to  the  Lord  for  pardon,  and  to  strengthen  our 
faith.  And  instead  of  questioning,  "  Is  the  Lord  among  us  or  not  ?" 
Let  us  in  faith  confess,  the  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us  ;  the  God  of 
Jacob  is  our  refuge... .Psalm  xlvi.  7. 

Thou  aV-t,  O  Lord,  my  soul's  relief:  Thv  patience,  I.ord,  I  oft  have  tried. 
Thou  hast  me  bless'd  with  grace  :  But  yet  am  out  of  hell ; 

Forgive  my  sins,  my  unbelief:  Where  can  I  find  such  love  beside, 
Shew  me  thy  loving  face.  Matchless,  uubearchable!  M- 


240  AUGUST  25. 

/  am  found  of  them  that  sought  me  not....Isa.  Ixv.  1. 

Every  display  of  the  Saviour's  grace  is  a  jewel  in  his  mediato- 
rial crown.     O  what  hearts  have  we,  that  we  are  not  more  humble 
before  him,  more  thankful  to  him,  and  more  joyful  in  him  !  Jesus, 
help  us  Gentile  sinners  to  look  back,  to  look  within,  to  look  up,  and 
to  look  forward,  to  excite  humility,  thankfulness,  and  joy  of  heart. 
1st.   Look  back,  O  my   soul:   view   thy  nature  state;   lying  dead 
afrlcep   in  the   arms  of  the  wicked  one,  dead  to    God,  under   tTie 
power  of  sin,  in  love  with  the  world,  blind  to  the  charms  of  Christ, 
without  a  single  desire  after  him,  or  the  least  care  for  thy  immortal 
soul.     2d.  Look  within,  dost  thou  find  affection  to  Jesus  and  de- 
sires after  him?   Is  it  the  language  of  thy  heart,  none  but  Christ, 
I   look  to  none   but  him;   I   expect  salvation   from -him  and  him 
only  ?  O,  whence  this  mighty  change  ?  Say,  did  you  first  seek  Christ, 
or  Christ  you  ?   Did  your  desires  first  go  out  after  Christ,  or  his  de- 
sires towards  you  ?  O,  in  the  fervor  of  love,  you  must  cry  out,  pride 
thou  busy  foe,  avaunt !  I  must,  I  should  have  gone  to  hell,  without 
a  single  desire  of  salvation  by  Jesus,  if  he  had  not  sought  me  and 
made  himself  manifest  to  me:   his  grace  was  firstinthe  work.    Then, 
od.  Look  up,  give  Jesus  the  whole  and  sole  glory.     O,  to  think, 
•when  there  was  nothing  in  us  to  invite  the  loving  Spirit  down,  but 
every  thing  to  cause  him  to  loath  us  and  to  leave  us  ;  yet,  O  match- 
less love  and  sovereign  grace  !  he  shewed  us  Christ,  drawed  us  to 
Christ,  and  caused  us  to  receive  Christ.     Rejoice,  love,  adore  and 
praise.     Who  can  resist  divine  attraction  ?    Who   is  proof  against 
divine  love  ?  Who  that  loves  can  love  enough  ?  4th.  Look  forward, 
soul  !   Heaven  is  before  you  :   Jesus  stands   ready  to  receive   you : 
God  the  Father  to  embrace  you  :  God  the  Son  to  glory  in  you  :  and 
God  the  Spirit  to  triumph   over  you.     Glory  shall  complete  what 
grace  has  begun.     O,  study  the  grace  and  love  of  Jesus,  that  is  our 
lieaven  below  ;  to  praise  him  for  it  will  be  our  eternal  employ  above. 
But  one  thing  remains,  give  God  the  glory  of    all  this  amazing 
grace  :   study  from  day  to  day,  and  from  hour  to  hour,  to  do  it  by  the 
faith  of  your  hearts,  the  words  of  your  lips,  and  the  obedience  of 
your  lives.     No   consideration  whatever  can  beat  down  your  native 
pride,  sink  into  genuine  humility,  animate  with   holy   love  to  all 
cheerful  obedience,  like  this,  "  God  commended  his  love  towards  us 
in  that  while  we  wercyet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.".. ..Rom.  v.  8. 

Then  since  I  have  my  Siiviour  found,  The  Spirit  found  me  dead  in  sin. 
And  tasted  of  his  love.  And  led  me  unto  Christ ; 

I'll  tell  |)oor  sinners  all  around  I  fult  such  jjrecious  pow'r  within, 
That  the/  its  pow'r  may  prove.  1  could  not  him  resist.  M. 


AUGUST  26.  241 

/  know  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  death,  and  to  the  house  ap- 
pointed for  all  living. ...Job.  xxx.  23. 

What   sweet   familiarity   does  grace  make  between  God  and 

believing  sinners !  How  freel)'  can  they  speak  to  him  upon  that  solemn 

event,  death.      In   the   exercise  of  faith,    we   think  of   it  without 

terror  and  speak  of  it  with  delight.     Why  so  ?  Because  we  have  no 

sin  and  are  not  sinners?  No  :  but  because  we  know  Christ,  the  friend 

of  sinners,  who  has  taken  away  all  our  sins,  conquered  death  for  us, 

subdued  the  fear  of  death  in  us,  brought  life  and  immortality  to  us, 

and  is  ever  before  the  throne  pleading  for  us.     Yet  we  kn'ow  also, 

HK  will  bring  us  to  death.     O,  this  is  soul-comforting  knowledge  1 

What,  wilt  thou,  my  loving  God,  my  precious  Saviour,  who  bore 

my  sins  in  thine  own  body  on  the  tree,  bring  me  to  death  ?   Are  the 

issues  of  life  and  death  in  thy  hand?  Cannot  death   approach   nor 

assault  me  till  thou  give  him  commission  anil  bring  me  to  death?   I 

thank  thee,  my  dear  Lord,  for  this  knowledge:  then  death  thou  art 

no  more  the  hideous  monster,  the  frightful  king  of  terrors  to  my 

soul.     No  :    my  dear   friend  brings  me  to  thee,  that  I  may  salute 

thee  as  an  angel  of  love,  and  kiss  thee  as   a  messenger  of  peace. 

Fond  parents  carry  their  children  to  see  fine  sights,  to  delight  them: 

they  avoid   horrid   spectacles  which   would   terrify  them:   so   doth 

our  heavenly  Father  by  us;  he  brings  us  to  death  that  we  may  see 

and  be  delighted   with   the  glorious   victories  of  his  beloved  Son. 

Here  we  behold  him  a  triumphant  conqueror  over  sin  and  death,  and 

over  the  devil,  who  had  the  power  of  death.     Our  Father,  God, 

BkiKGS  us  to  the  field  of  battle  ;   he  carries  us  through  it ;  he  shews 

us  the  spoils  of  his  Son's  glorious  conquests:   there,  says  he,  see, 

reap  and  wear  the  blessed  trophies  of  his  victorious  cross ;    all  are 

for  you  my  children ;  your  enemies  are  all  slain  ;  a  crown  of  glory 

is  won  for  you  eternally  to  wear  ;  a  kingdom  of  glory  is  obtained  for 

you,  where  you  shall  for  ever  reign.     No  sooner  are  we  brought  to, 

and  carried  through  the  field  of  battle,  but  shouts  of  victory  await 

us.     Hark,  hark  to  the  immortal  spirits  above  :  we  shall  soon  be 

brought  to  join  them  in  eternal  shouts  of  salvation  to  God  and 

THE  Lamb.     Now,  this  is  the  life  of  faith;  believing  in  Christ  the 

fear  of  death  is  conqviered,    the  hope  of  life  is  enjoyed,  eternal  life 

is  possessed  ;  and  we  cry  out,  O  death  where  is  thy  sting?  O  grave 

where   is  thy  victory  ?  We  have  an  house  not  made  with   hands, 

eternal  in  the  heavens.... 2  Cor.  i.  5.  1. 

Why  should  I  fear  when  God  shall  say  My  Father  gave  his  only  Son, 
My  son,  now  you  must  die  ?  To  conquer  death  for  me  : 

I'l!  bring  thro'  death  to  reign  on  high  This  work  Christ  hath  forever  done. 
With  me  eternally.  I  shall  his  glory  see.  M. 

Gg 


242  AUGUST   27. 

Peter  said  tinto  him,  Lordy  why  cannot  I  follow  thee 
?iozcP  I  zvill  lajj  douH  viy  life  for  thy  sake...Joh)L 
xiii.  37. 

Peter  seems  now  in  a  special  frame  indeed  :  all  is  warmth  of 
love  and  simshine  of  joy.  Ecstaciea  carry  us  out  of  ourselves;  we 
forget  what  we  are,  where  we  are,  what  we  are  exposed  to,  and 
what  may  soon  befal  us.  Like  Peter  on  the  mount,  we  are  apt  t» 
speak  without  due  consideration:  we  know  not  what  we  say:  the 
fire  of  passion  exceeds  the  bounds  of  solid  judgment.  "Why  can- 
not I  follow  thee  now?  Let  the  way  be  strewed  with  ever  so  many 
difficulties,  let  never  so  many  dangers  oppose,  nothing  is  able  to  dis- 
may or  dishearten  me:  I  have  just  now,  such  fervent  love  to  thee, 
that  I  could  face  death  in  the  most  frightful  form,  and  lay  down  my 
life  with  the  greatest  pleasure  for  thy  sake."  Doubtless  Peter  now 
thought  himself  perfect  and  free  from  all  sin.  What  thinkest,  O 
soul,  is  Peter's  language  becoming  him  or  not?  Is  it  not  a  noble 
and  generous  declaration?  Art  thou  ready  to  say,  I  wish  I  could 
boldly  say  so  too?  Ah,  soul!  whatever  thou  mayest  think  of  these 
high  flown  expressions,  our  Lord  soon  took  poor  Peter  down.  Do 
not  be  discouraged  at  hearing  professors  speak  great  swelling  words: 
I  was  once,  when  a  person  said,  "  this  world  is  nothing  to  me :  it 
is  quite  under  my  feet:  I  have  so  much  love  that  I  care  no  more 
about  the  world  than  if  I  was  not  in  it."  Lord,  thought  I,  what 
a  wretch  am  I  !  Not  fit  to  be  thy  disciple.  But,  alas  1  in  a  little 
time,  the  world  attracted  that  same  person  (I  fear)  from  Jesus,  un- 
der its  power.  Beware  of  self-confidence;  live  low,  lie  low,  think 
low,  speak  low  of  thyself,  let  thy  frames  be  what  they  may.  Now 
hear  our  Lords  reply  to  Peter:  "  wilt  thou  lay  down  thy  life  for 
my  sake?"  I  do  not  quescion  thy  sincerity,  but  I  do  thy  strength: 
I  pity  thy  vain  confidence:  I  am  concerned  for  thy  self-sufliciency : 
poor  vain  man,  thou  hast  turned  thine  eye  from  my  love  to  thine 
own,  thou  Iruslest  in  the  glow  of  thine  afl'eciions,  thy  confidence  is 
in  thy  fine  frames  and  warm  feelings,  instead  of  my  love  to  thee 
and  my  |)owtr  to  uphold  thee:  "Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  thee, 
(instead  of  laying  down  thy  life  for  me)  the  cock  shall  not  crow  till 
thou  hah-t  denied  mc  thrice."  What  shall  we  say  to  this?  Verily, 
every  man  at  his  best  state  is  altogalher  vanity.  Selah.  Contidtr 
this.. ..Psalm  xxxix.  5.  And  ever  rememlxr  the  unchangeable  love 
of  Christ  to  such  poor,  vain,  changeable  creatures.  \Vell  may  he 
say,  "  I  am  tlie  Louu,  I  change  not,  therefore  yc  are  not  consum- 
ed."....Mal.  iii.  6. 

Now  warm  with  love  our  souls  are  l)oIil,  Love  fiHoMs  us  thro'  all  our  ways, 
ForChrist  wecount  all  things  butloss;  Mtlts  d)wii   and  breaks  our  stubborn 
Anon,  alas,  our  hearts  grow  cold.  The  love  of  Jesus  ne'er  decays,  [hearts, 

Wc  ihrink  and  Hec  from  ev'ry  cross.     But  saves  us  from  all  hellish  arts.    M. 


AUGUST  28.  '^i'i 

Worthy  is  ilie  lMmb....1icv.  v.  12. 

This  the  song,  this  the  glory  of  angels  and  redeemed  sinners 
in  heaven.  To  know,  believe  in,  love  and  follow  this  Lamb,  con- 
stitutes our  heaven  upon  earth.  Sin  is  our  hell :  but  this  Tamb  of 
God  takelh  away  our  sin  ;  then  heaven  is  in  our  souls.  O,  that  ever 
we  should  be  ashamed  of  this  Lamb,  who  is  heaven's  wonder  and 
heaven's  glory  !  Is  not  this  thought  of  being  ashamed  of  God's  Lamb, 
like  a  dagger  to  one's  heart  ?  Lamb  of  God  have  mercy  upon  us  ! 
Why  is  our  dear  Saviour  called  a  Lamb  ?  1st.  Because  of  his  im- 
maculate purity  ;  he  was  holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  separate  from 
sinners,  without  a  spot  of  sin  or  stain  of  impurity.  2d.  He  was  meek 
and  inoffensive  like  a  lamb.  A  lamb  has  no  weapon  of  hostility  :  it 
never  hurts  any  one:  it  cannot  defend  itself  against  assaults:  it  be- 
comes an  easy  prey :  all  this  Christ  was  in  his  life.  Therefore,  3d. 
Like  a  lamb  he  was  taken  and  slain:  he  was  the  very  paschal  Lamb, 
lo  take  away  our  sin  by  his  blood.  4th.  A  slain  lamb  is  precious  for 
food  and  useful  for  clothing:  so  is  Jesus:  his  flesh  is  meat  indeed; 
his  blood  is  drink  indeed ;  his  righteousness  is  the  clothing  of  otir 
souls:  we  live  by  feeding  on  his  flesh  and  blood;  we  are  justified  in 
his  righteousness  ;  our  sins  are  washed  away  in  his  precious  blood ; 
our  souls  are  perfect  before  (lod,  in  his  glorious  righteousness. 
Can  you  say  from  your  inmost  soul,  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  !  Then 
you  have  got  the  grace  of  heaven  in  your  hearts.  Proclaim  it  aloud, 
as  they  do  in  glory,  with  your  lips;  and  shew  it  forth  in  your  life: 
.  study  to  walk  worthy  of  the  lamb ;  look  at  your  sins  ;  humble  yourself 
before  the  Lamb  ;  honor  him  by  believing  that  he  has  atoned  for 
them  and  took  them  ai,l  away  from  before  God,  by  his  blood.  Look 
at  yourself  as  a  sinner,  whose  nature  is  black  as  hell  and  deformed 
as  a  devil  ;  glorify  the  Lamb  for  redeeming  you  to  God  by  his  blood, 
presenting  you  before  God  in  his  righteousness,  and  making  you 
one  with  God,  by  his  grace  ;  look  constantly  on  yourself  as  a  saved 
sinner  by  the  Lamb  ;  have  nothing  to  do  with  any  other  name  under 
heaven  for  salvation  from  sin,  death  and  hell.  Of  all  the  faith  of 
your  heart,  the  love  of  your  soul,  and  glory  of  your  life,  worthy 
IS  THK  Lamb. ...And,  O  let  it  be  the  daily  joy  and  rejoicing  of  your 
spirit,  that  you,  a  vile  sinner,  shall  soon  join  the  redeemed  around 
his  throne,  incessantly  and  eternally  to  shout  his  praise  who  hath 
•washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood. 

O  for  an  heart  to  love  and  praise  More  of  thy  comforts  shed  abroad, 
,    The  Lamb  wlio  dy'd  for  sin,  O  God,  the  Holy  Ghost : 

Who  loves  and  keeps  us  all  our  days.  That  we  may  love  our  dying  Lord. 
...AttdwwtiJki  within.  And  cnicifv  each  lust.  M. 


24i  AUGUST  29. 

Most  gladly,  therefore,  zvill  I  rather  glory  in  7ny  ijifir- 
milks,  that  the  poncr  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me.... 
2  Cor.  xii.  9. 
Though  Paul  is  not  now  in  the  third  heavens,  yet  he  is  not  con- 
tent to  speak  any  language  below  the  superlative  degree,  most 
GLADLY.  O,  says  he,  "I  have  had  the  richest  experience  of  my 
own  weakness  and  impotence  that  ever  I  had  in  my  life  :  I  should 
be  most  glad  every  day  to  be  thus  emptied  and  laid  low  at  the  feet  of 
Christ,  that  the  all-sufficiency  of  his  grace  and  the  power  of  his 
strength  might  be  made  perfect  in  me.  What  does  he  mean  by  in- 
firmities ?  All  that  weakness,  feebleness  and  inability  which  he 
found  in  his  nature  to  withstand  sin  and  satan,  to  bear  up  under  his 
crosses,  trials  and  distresses,  to  run  the  way  of  God's  command- 
ments, to  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith.  Sec  I  will  rather  glory  in 
these.  What  means  he  ?  1  will  glory,  rejoice  and  be  glad,  that  self 
is  laid  low,  my  proud  nature  debased,  my  self-exalting  views  brought 
down,  and  that  I  be  entirely  emptied  of  all  self-suificiency.  I  will 
RATHER  glory  in  this,  than  in  any  thing  else.  Why  so  ?  "  That  the 
power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me.^"  When  full  of  the  pride  of  na- 
ture and  self-sufficiency,  the  soul  sees  not  the  need  of  Christ's  grace. 
A  full  stomach  loaths  the  honey-comb.  When  strong  in  nature's 
power,  the  strength  of  Christ  is  not  sought  after :  but  when  satan 
buffets,  infirmities  prevail,  nature  fails  and  sinks,  hope  and  help 
from. self  forsake  us,  then  the  Saviour  is  sought  to;  the  soul  goes 
right  humbly  to  the  Lord.  The  sinner's  extremity  is  the  Lord's 
opportunity.  When  Peter  begins  to  sink,  self-confidence  forsakes 
hinj,  and  he  cries,  Lord  save  or  I  perish  :  then  Christ  exerts  his 
power  and  saves  him.  When  satan  thinks  to  buffet  Paul  out  of  his 
faith  and  hope  in  the  Lord,  he  only  buffets  him  out  of  his  self-ex- 
altings  and  self-confidence:  he  drives  him  to  the  throne  of  grace; 
he  besought  the  Lord  again  and  again ;  the  Lord  delivers  not,  but 
only  tells  him,  my  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee:  Paul  felt  the  power 
of  Christ  resting  upon  him.  Learn  hence,  O  soul,  not  to  be  dis- 
tressed at  thy  infirmities,  a  sense  of  thy  weakness  and  emptiness  : 
glory  in  them,  that  Christ  may  be  glorified  by  thee,  in  causing  his 
power  to  rest  upon  thee ;  for,  mind  that  precious  word  of  his,  let 
thy  weak  and  infirm  spirit  hang  upon  it  from  day  to  day  ;  "  He 
giveth  power  to  the  faint :  and  to  them  who  have  no  might  he 
jncreaseih  strength. "....Isaiah  xl.  29. 

Tho'  weak  to  stand,  and  prone  to  fall,  When  weak  and  faint  we  find  our  heart, 
Ytt  we,  alas,  are  iull  of  pride!  Still  will  vre  glory  in  thy  pow'r: 

O  .Saviour  dear,  on  thee  we  call,  Thy  strengtb'ning  grace  shall  ne'er  de- 

Humble  and  keep  us  near  thy  side.  part, 

Iroin  thine  in  their  distressing  hour.  M. 


AUGUST  30.  245 

/ said  in  my)  haste,  all  men  are  liars. . . .  Psalm,  cxvi.  1 1 . 

Wk  arc  prone  to  be  too  hasty  in  our  censures  of  others,  while 
the  greatest  fault  lies  at  our  own  door.  David  here  brands  all  men 
with  being  liars,  when  he  himself  was  the  greatest  liar  of  all,  if  wc 
take  the  words  in  this  sense.  Here,  he  even  charges  Samuel  the 
prephet  of  the  Lord  with  a  lie;  for  he  had  anointed  him  to  be  king 
and  assured  him  of  the  kingdom:  but  he  spoke  in  haste,  without 
due  thought  and  deliberaiion,  unadvisedly,  under  temptation,  when 
he  was  off"  his  guard,  and  fled  from  the  rage  of  Saul :  though  some 
think  David  rather  speaks  the  bold  language  of  confident  faith.  I 
said  in  my  flight,  that  notwithstanding  all  the  fury  of  Saul  and  all 
the  suggestions  of  my  enemitts  to  the  contrary,  "Let  God  be  true, 
but  every  man  a  liar.".... Rom.  iii.  4.  The  Lord  will  surely  prescne 
me:  I  shall  certainly  be  king.  David  was  the  subject  both  of  faith 
and  unbelief;  of  a  hasty  spirit,  which  exalteth  folly,  as  well  as  of 
a  meek  spirit,  which  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  is  of  great  price. 
Times  of  temptation  sometimes  draw  from  the  lips  hasty  speeches, 
which  wound  the  heart  and  cause  it  to  mourn.  O  believer,  though 
thou  hast  cause  to  be  ashamed  of  thy  unbelief  and  hasty  folly,  yet  be 
not  ashamed  to  confess  it:  to  commit  a  fault,  and  strive  to  extenuate 
it,  proceeds  from  pride  and  unbelief.  Settle  it  well  in  thine  heart, 
what  thy  present  state  is:  consider  daily  the  number  and  force  of 
thine  enemies:  their  name  is  legion,  for  they  are  many.  Never 
forget  the  total  sinfulness  of  thy  own  nature.  All  this  will  make 
thee  humble  and  watchful  over  thyself.  Know  and  remember  also, 
the  love  and  faithfulness  of  thy  God  and  Saviour:  he  who  has  re- 
deemed thee  to  God,  by  his  own  blood,  will  save  thee  from  thy 
sinful  self  and  from  the  power  of  all  thine  enemies  :  say  of  all  who 
dare  contradict  this,  they  are  liars.  Though  weak  in  thyself,  be 
strong  in  thy  Lord;  though  sinful  in  thyself,  rejoice  that  thou  art 
righteous  in  him.  Let  the  faith  of  this  inspire  thy  heart  with  bold- 
ness before  the  throne  of  God ;  there  go  constantly  as  a  poor,  help- 
less, needy  sinner,  viewing  thyself  perfectly  righteous  in  Christ  and 
perfectly  accepted  of  God  in  his  beloved  Son.  Give  God  the  glorj 
of  his  truth;  pronounce  all  liars  Avho  dare  oppose  it:  give  no  credit 
to  the  suggestions  of  thy  own  mind,  contrary  to  the  full  and  free 
declarations  of  thy  Lord's  love  and  grace.  Remember,  the  con- 
victions of  sin  by  the  Spirit  of  truth  are  to  bring  thee  to  comfort 
in  Christ :  the  accusations  for  sin,  by  the  lying  spirit,  are  to  distress 
thy  heart  and  drive  thee  from  Christ,  who  is  the  truth. ..John 
xiv.  6. 

Forgive,  my  Lord,  each  hasty  word,      I  foolish  am,  and  self  abhorr'd, 
Against  thy  truth  and  grace,  O,  shew  thy  smiling  face.        M. 


^46  AUGUST  31. 

Tlwse  are  flic  ic^ords  I  spake  loiio  you,  luhile  1  n- as  yet 
loiUiyoUi  that  all  things  must  be  fulfilled  ivhich  icere 
wrltlen  in  the  law  of  Moses ,  and  in  the  prophets,  and 
in  the  fsabns  concerning  me, ...Luke  xxiv.  44. 

Christ's  work  was  to  ful&l  all  scripture;  it  is  ours  to  believe 
that  the  scriptures  are  all  fulfilled  in  Christ:  hence  we  are  iilled 
v'ith  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing.... Rom.  xv.  13.  We  complain  of 
tlie  weakness  of  faith :  we  neglect  the  means  by  which  it  is  strength- 
ened. Faith  comes  by  hearing  the  word  of  God  ;  by  it  faith  is 
strengthened.  That  which  comes  not  from  the  word,  and  is  not 
supported  by  the  word,  is  not  faith,  but  phantom:  it  will  soon  eva- 
porate. Our  Saviour  Mas  now  risen;  his  work  was  finished;  he 
appeals  to  the  understanding  of  his  disciples;  he  refers  them  to 
what  he  had  spoken  to  them  before  he  died  for  them.  Understand- 
ing the  word  in  the  heart,  is  like  the  stomach  receiving  and  digest- 
ing; food  for  the  whole  body ;  all  parts  of  it  are  nourished  from  it. 
O,  let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  richly  in  you:  treasure  it  up  in 
your  memories  :  exercise  your  understanding  upon  it ;  digest  it  in 
your  heart:  so  you  will  surely  be  nourished,  edified  and  comforted 
by  it :  your  faith  will  grow  exceedingly.  In  what  ?  Why  in  what 
Christ  hath  fulfilled  for  you.  Are  you  ready  to  say,  how  do  I  know 
that  he  hath  fulfilled  all  things  for  me  ?  This  is  stumbling  at  the 
threshold  instead  of  entering  in  at  the  door  :  this  is  questioning  in- 
stead of  believing.  Our  Lord  gives  one  general  answer  to  this  : 
"According  to  your  faith,  be  it  unto  you.".. ..Matt.  ix.  29.  Believe 
Christ's  words  ;  believe  his  work :  so  shall  you  enjoy  the  comforts 
of  his  love  and  salvation  ;  and  be  animated  to  obey  his  will.  See, 
1st.  O  christian,  you  have  not  followed  a  cunningly  devised  fable  : 
your  fdith  in  Christ  is  agreeable  to  what  is  Avrittcn  in  the  law,  in 
the  prophets,  and  in  the  Psalms  concerning  him.  2d.  Hence  re- 
joice. Is  the  law  fulfilled  for  you  by  Christ  ?  Then  are  you  righte- 
ous in  the  sight  of  God,  even  as  Christ  is  righteous.  Study  the  purity 
and  perfection  of  the  law  of  God :  fall  down  in  humility  as  a  con- 
denintd  sinner  by  it  :  glory  in  Jesus,  as  your  law-fulfiller,  in  whom 
you  have  everlasting  righteousness.  5d.  Study  the  prophets  and 
the  Psalms;  you  will  always  find  somewhat  concerning  Jesus  in 
them.  Know,  all  that  concerns  him,  is  your  highest  concern  upon 
earth  :  the  more  knowledge  you  get  of  him,  and  the  more  faith  in 
him,  so  much  the  mor«  will  you  love  him  and  answer  the  end  of 
your  new  creation  in  him,  even  to  glorify  him  in  your  holy  life  and 
obedient  walk:  "This  is  the  will  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning 
you."....l  Tliess.  v.  !8. 


SEPTEMBER   I.  247 

Vd  have  an  unction  from  the  llo'uj  One,  and  yc  knoic  all 
things.... \  John  \\.  20. 

A  CHRISTIAN  may  safely  indulc^e  this  covetous  wish,  to  have  his 
head  filled  with  the  knowledge  and  his  heart  with  the  love  of 
Christ.  What  is  knowledge  without  love  ?  The  very  devil  could 
say  of  Christ,  "  I  know  thee  who  thou  art,  the  holy  one  of  God." 
They  have  a  more  distinct  knowledge  of  Christ,  believe  more  of 
him,  and  have  just  as  much  love  to  him  as  Arians,  Socinians,  and 
other  infidels,  who  deny  his  eternal  power  and  godhead,  and  his 
self-existent  deity.  The  devils  declare,  "  what  have  we  to  do  with 
thee,  thou  Jesus  of  Nazareth  ?"  Infidelity  in  men  causes  them  to 
give  our  Saviour  no  higher  name  than  this,  and  to  allow  him  to  be 
no  more  than  a  piophet,  mighty  in  word  and  deed:  but  they  will 
have  nothing  to  do  with  him  as  the  eternal  Son  of  God,  atoning  sin 
by  his  precious  blood,  justifying  sinners  by  liis  perfect  righteous- 
ness, and  finishing  salvation  for  them  by  his  life  and  death.  This 
is  from  the  teachii^g  of  the  holy  Spirit,  agreeable  to  the  word  of 
truth.  All  who  receive  the  truth  in  love,  are  christians,  or  anointed 
ones  of  God.  1st.  They  have  an  unction.  The  Son  of  God  was 
anointed,  as  well  as  chosen  to  his  office  and  work,  as  our  Saviour 
the  holy  child  Jesus,  whom  (iod  anointed....  Acts  iv.  27.  So  all  who 
arc  chosen  to  salvation,  are  also  anointed  of  God. ...2  Cor.  i.  21. 
They,  as  members  of  Christ,  partake  in  a  measure  of  the  gifts  and 
graces  of  the  Spirit,  which  their  Lord  and  head  received  without 
measure.. ..John  iii.  34.  2d.  This  is  from  the  Holy  One.  This 
is  one  of  our  dear  Saviour's  names :  he  is  often  called  by  it.  None 
but  God  is  holy:  but  Christ  is  the  Holy  One,  therefore  he  is  God. 
?.Iind,  soul,  you  are  a  disciple  of  a  holy  Saviour,  therefore  be  holy 
in  your  walk.  This  unction  is  from  the  Holy  One,  received  out  of 
the  fulness  of  Jesus:  we  cannot  have  any  of  the  gifts  and  grace 
of  the  Spirit,  but  in,  and  by,  and  from  the  holy  Lamb  of  God. 
The  love  of  the  Father  centers  in  him,  and  Hows  from  him  to  us  : 
the  graces  of  the  Spirit  are  without  measure  all  treasured  up  in 
him,  and  flow  from  him  to  us:  we  receive  all  grace  out  of  the 
fulness  of  Christ.  O,  let  us  keep  the  eye  of  our  faith  and  the 
hope  of  our  souls  steadily  fixed  upon  our  Holy  One,  Jesus.  Let 
us  glorify  him  and  praise  the  dear  Spirit  for  this  unction.  This 
teacheth  us,  3d.  To  kxow  all  things.  O  then,  saith  a  poor 
soul,  I  have  not  this  unction  :  I  am  weak  and  ignorant:  I  know 
notiiing.  No!  Do  you  not  know  that  you  are  a  poor,  lost,  hopeless,, 
helpless  sinner  ;  that  God  is  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself;  that  Jesus  has  finished  salvation;  and  that  the  Father  is 
well  pleased  in  and  with  him  ?  Dost  thou  know  and  believe  this  in 
thine  heart  ?  Why,  "  this  is  life  eternal  to  know  the  only  true  God 
and  Jesus  Christ.".. .John  xvii.  3. 


248  SEPTEMBER  2. 

The  great  trumpet  shall  be  bloitm,  and  they  shall  come, 
zvhich  were  ready  to  perish,. ..Isa.  xxvii.  13. 

One  trumpet  has  been  blown  at  the  giving  of  the  law  on  Mount 
Sinai  ;  the  voice  of  it  sounded  long  and  waxed  louder  and  louder:  it 
made  even  Moses  to  fear  and  quake  exceedingly  and  all  the  people 
tremble.  Soon,  very  soon,  who  knows  but  it  may  be  the  next  mo- 
ment, in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  ?  The  last  trumpet  shall  sound  and 
the  dead  shall  be  raised....  1  Cor.  xv.  52.  Tremendous  voice!  Most 
solenm  sound  !  The  prophet  asks,  "  Shall  a  trumpet  be  blown  in  the 
city,  and  the  people  not  be  afraid  ?"....Amos  iii.  6.  If  the  alarm  of 
war  and  the  approach  of  an  enemy  be  sounded  in  the  dead  of  the 
night,  what  fear  and  terror  would  seize  us  ?  Must  we  hear  the  sound 
of  the  last  trumpet,  calling  us  to  judgment  ?  Blessed,  eternally 
blessed  be  our  God,  for  the  blowing  of  this  great  trumpet :  it  is  the 
sound  of  great  love  :  it  proclaims  a  great  salvation.. ..to  whom  ?  Even 
to  great  sinners  ;  such  as  see  their  sins  so  great,  that  they  are 
RtADY  TO  PERISH.  The  souud  of  this  great  trumpet  expels  the  legal 
fears  of  the  first,  and  the  awful  terrors  which  arise  in  our  minds  by 
the  sound  of  the  last  trumpet ;  for  it  proclaims,  that  "the  great  God 
is  our  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ."....Tit.  ii.  13.  Our  judge  is  our  advo- 
cate, our  Saviour,  and  friend.  Do  we  see  ourselves  ready  to  perish 
without  hope  and  help  in  and  from  ourselves?  Are  the  curses  of  a 
broken  law  upon  us,  and  is  the  glittering  sword  of  justice  bran- 
dished over  us  ?  The  great  trumpet  sounds.  Come,  come  to  Christ, 
ye  sinners,  who  are  ready  to  perish,  and  must  perish  if  ye  do  not 
come.  Saith  Jesus,  "all  that  the  Father  giveth  me  shall  come 
to  me. "....John  vi.  37.  Therefore,  this  great  trumpet  of  gospel 
salvation  shall  not  be  blown  in  vain.  Those  who  never  saw  them- 
selves ready  to  perish  can  hear  neither  music  nor  charms  in  its 
sound:  it  is  foolishness  to  them  :  but  to  sensible,  perishing  sinners, 
it  is  a  joyful  sound  to  their  ears  ;  it  proclaims  victory  over  sin,  the 
law,  satan,  death  and  hell,  through  Jesus,  who  loved  us  and  gave 
himself  for  us.  Nor  less  doth  it  proclaim  holiness  than  happiness  : 
for  it  calls  us  to  war  with  our  sins,  to  peace  with  God,  and  to  walk 
in  sweet  fellowship  with  God  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.... 
1  John  i.  3.  This  great  gospel  trumpet,  like  those  of  old,  is  all  of 
a  piece.... Numb.  x.  2.  It  does  not  give  an  uncertain  sound  ;  but  it 
proclaims  a  free,  full  and  finished  salvation  by  Christ,  to  the  glory 
of  God,  yea,  and  amen. 

Tlic  pospel,  like  a  trumpet  shrill,  Though  in  a  lost  and  fearful  state, 

Doth  pierce  us  to  the  heart,  "  We  to  the  Saviour  come. 

Awakes  our  souls,  subdues  cur  will  He  never  says,  It  is  too  late, 
^    I'lom  all  our  sins  to  part.  W'c  in  his  heart  find  room.  M. 


SEPTEMBER  3.  249 

Joseph  sought  where  to  zceep....Gcn.  xliii.  30. 

To  weep  !  What !  When  he  saw  his  beloved  brother  Benja- 
min and  heard  that  his  affectionate,  aged  father  was  alive  and  well  ? 
Yes,  the  sight  of  the  one  and  the  news  of  the  other,  created  such 
an  ecstacy  of  joy  in  his  heart  as  was  too  great  to  bear.     He  sought 
where  to  vent  it  by  tears.     O,  had  one  followed  good  Joseph  to  his 
chamber,  and  heard  what  passed  there  between  his  God  and  his  soul ! 
Methinks  I  see  the  dear  man  fall  prostrate,  crying  out  in  a  flood  of 
grateful,  joyful  tears,  O   what  a  God  do  I  serve  1   What  amazing 
scenes  of  his  providence  have  opened  to  my  view  !   How  has  the  Lord 
appeared  graciously  in  my  behalf  1    How  strangely  has  he  exalted 
me  in  life  !   And  now,  to  crown  all  and  complete  my  happiness,  I 
see  my  beloved  brother,  and  hear  of  the  welfare  of  my  honored  father. 
Doubtless  he  wept,  he  prayed,  he  praised,  he  rejoiced,  he  loved,  he 
adored  his  God,  his  kind  preserver,  his  bountiful  benefactor,  his  dear 
Saviour.     Methinks,    one   cannot    meditate    on  Joseph's    conduct, 
without  calling  to  mind  some  sweet  weeping   seasons  of  spiritual 
joy  our  souls  have  been  favored  with  :   when  in  some  highly  favor- 
ed moments,  the  blessed   Spirit  has  brought  some  joyful  tidings 
of,  and  some  love    tokens  from  our  once  crucified,  but   ever-living 
brother   in  flesh,  Jesus,  O  then  what  joy  has  sprung   up   in  our 
souls  1  too  big  for  utterance.     When  he  has  assured  us  of  his  love 
to  us  ;  that  we  shall  soon  see  him  as  he  is,  be  with  him  where  he  is, 
and  eternally  enjoy  him  and  his  Father  and  our  Father  in  glory  ;   O, 
the  rapture  of  this  faith !  Then  we  are  ready  to  fly  the  world  and  all 
its  concerns,  and  even  our  brethren  in  Christ  too:   we  seek  to  be 
alone  to  pour  out  our  souls,  to  give  vent  to  our  joy  in  a  flood  of  joy- 
ful, loving,  grateful  tears.     Then,  like  the  disciples  on  the  mount, 
we  cry  out,  it  is  good  to  be  here:   this  is  sweet  :   methinks  my  soul 
is  drowned  in  tears  of  love  1   Now,  are  we  not  ready  to  wish,  O  that  it 
were  always  thus  witli  me  I  But  neither  Joseph,  you,  noj- 1,  could  live 
under  such  melting  frames,  such  ecstacy,  and  in  such  rapture:   the 
body  could  not  support  them  :   my  weak  body   could  not.     Neither 
are  they  always  good  for  the  soul  to  be  in ;   if  so,  we  should  be  al- 
Avays  favored  with  them.     This  we  are  fully  assured  of:   for,  "  no 
GOOD  THING  wiU  the  Lord  withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly." 
....Psalm  Ixxxiv.  1 1.     But  these  God  withholds.     You  never  read  of 
one  saint  in  the  bible  always  in  an  ecstacy  of  joy.     He  who  freely 
gave  us  his  Son,  how  shall  he  not  with  him  also  freely  give  us  all 
things  ?....Rom.  viii.  32. 

Dear  Saviour,  when  we  feel  thy  love,   We  long  to  be  with  thee  above, 
Our  hearts  oft  weep  for  joy:  Where  passions  never  cloy.      M. 

Vol.  H.  H  h 


250  SEPTEMBER  4. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  doetJi  this,  and  the  son  of  man  that 
layeth  hold  on  it....Isa.f\\i.  2. 

Many  poor  blind  sinners  we  meet  with,  who  are  saying,  do  not 
puzzle  me  with  your  points  of  doctrine.     This  is  my  religion,  "  I 
do  justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with  my  God."     There  is 
scarce  a  text  in  the  whole  bible,  so  much  punned  upon  and  hackneyed 
by  ignorant  men,  to  keep  up  their  vain  hopes  and  self-righteous  con- 
fidence, as  this  of   Micah  vi.  8.     As  a  striking   instance   of  their 
walking  humbly   with  God,  they  reject  the  glorious   gospel  of  his 
grace,  set  at  nought   the   atonement  and  righteousness  of  his  Son, 
ridicule  the  inspiration  of  his  Spirit,  and  walk  in  the  pride  of  their 
hearts,  fulfilling  the   lusts  of  their  flesh.     They   are  cursed  by  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord.     But  here  is  the  only  blessed  man  described  by 
him.     1st.  In  his  doing.. ..What?   Justick.    He  has  a  sincere  regard 
to  do  every  thing  Avhich  is  moral,  just  and  good.     Without  this, 
know,  ye  professors  of  faith,  your  religion  is  vain  ;  ye  are  not  the 
blessed  of  the  Lord  :  "  Faith  without  works  is  dead. "....James  ii.  26. 
2d.  He  KEEPS  JUDGMENTS.     He  retains  a  right  judgment  of  him- 
SELF,  that  he  is  a  poor  miserable  sinner  :   of  sin,  that  it  is  exceed- 
ing sinful,  most  hateful   to  a  holy  God,  and  has  made  him  most 
abominable  in   his  sight:   of   the  law,  that  by   it   he  is   cursed, 
and  by  it  he   can  never   be  justified,  for  he  can  never  fulfil  it :   ot 
God,  that  he  has  concluded   him  under  sin,  that  he  might  have 
mercy  on  him  and  freely  justify  him  through  the  grace  of  Jesus. 
Am  I  this   blessed  man  ?   Pause  and  consider.     It  is  necessary  to 
our  blessedness  to  know  our  curse  :  the  blessed  Spirit  convinces  of 
it.     3d.  That  we  may  "lay  hold  on  this."     What?  "  My  salvation, 
the  salvation  of  God's  Son,  finished  for  the  hopeless  sons  of  Adam. 
"  My  righteousness  revealed  :"  whereby  God  is  just,  and  yet  the 
justifier  of  every  imgodly,  unrighteous  sinner,  who  by  faith  lays 
hold  of  this  righteousness.     All  such  sons  of  men  are  the  blessed 
sons  of  God.     O,  rejoice  in  your  blessed  state  :     glory  in  it :   give 
God  the  glory  of  it.     But  legal  hearts  and  self-righteous  spirits  will 
be  ever  buzzing,  what  becomes  of  good  works  and  a  holy  life  ?   We 
answer,  (iod  not  only  justifies   us  by  grace,  but  sanctifies  by   his 
Spirit.     The  grace  of  God,  which  brings  salvation  to  us,  teaches  us 
to  deny  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righte- 
ously and  godly  in  this  present  world. ...Tit.  ii.  12. 

This  is  the  one,  the  only  way,  In  him  we  find  a  spring  of  hope, 
For  sinners  to  be  blest,  A  sense  of  joy  and  peace, 

To  Hee  fn  m  sin  without  delay,  Tliis  keej)s  our  sinking  spirits  up, 
And  refug«  take  in  Christ.  Till  hence  we  get  release.         M. 


SEPTEMBER  5.  251 

The  apostles  said  unto  the  Lord,  increase  our  faith.... 
Luke  xvii.  5. 

Natural  men  tauntingly  say,  "  O,  you  don't  mind  good  works, 
faith  is  to  do  every  thing  for  you."  Truly  faith  is  all,  for  it  includes 
the  object  of  faith,  the  Lord.  For,  indeed,  faith  has  no  existence 
•without  its  object.  Consider,  1st.  Is  it  not  a  good  work  to  forgive 
an  ofiending  brother  ?  This  is  what  our  Lord  here  teaches.  The 
apostles  were  made  truly  sensible  that  they  could  not  do  this  with- 
out faith  ;  nay,  not  without  the  increase  of  faith  ;  therefore  they 
prayed  for  it.  Real  believers  are  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto  good 
works,  which  God  hath  before  ordained,  that  we  should  walk  in 
them....Eph.  ii.  10.  They  area  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works.. .. Tit.  ii.  14.  Thus  they  love  to  glorify  their  heavenly  Father. 
2d.  They  know,  that  all  good  works  proceed  from  faith  and  from 
the  increase  of  faith  :  for  Christ  dwells  in  our  hearts  by  faith.... 
Eph.  iii.  17.  This  is  the  source  and  spring  of  all  comfort,  and 
every  good  work.  Without  this,  what  is  life  to  a  christian  ?  Verily 
but  an  uncomfortable  breathing,  not  worthy  the  name  of  life.  Christ 
dwelling  in  the  heart  constitutes  heaven  upon  earth.  Just  as  un- 
comfortable as  this  world  would  be,  if  the  sun  were  blotted  out  of 
heaven,  would  the  christian  be  without  the  in-dwelling  of  Christ. 
How  hast  thou  found  thy  soul,  O  christian,  this  day  ?  Hast  thou 
found  Christ  in  thee,  the  hope  of  glory?  If  not,  it  is  for  want  of 
faith.  If  thou  hast,  dost  thou  not  desire  to  enjoy  more  of  it  ?  It  is 
tQ  be  had  by  the  increase  of  faith  :  pray  for  it.  3d.  Faith  sickena 
the  soul  to  the  love  of  sin  and  the  love  of  this  world.  The  increase 
of  faith  kills  the  love  of  both  :  "  For  this  is  the  victory,  even  our 
faith."....  1  John  V.  4.  4th.  Faith  brings  the  prospect  of  heavenly 
glory  into  view.  The  increase  of  faith  brings  fuller  assurance  to  our 
hearts  of  our  enjoyment  of  it,  quickens  our  diligence  in  the  way  to 
it,  excites  ardent  desires  in  our  souls  after  the  full  fruition  of  it, 
that  we  may  be  absent  from  the  body  and  present  with  the  Lord. 
5th.  See  who  is  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith.  Do  you  com- 
plain, that  your  faith  is  weak  and  your  corruptions  strong?  Remem- 
ber, that  dear  Christ  who  died  for  your  sins  can  strengthen  your  faith  : 
look  unto  Jesus  :  cry  unto  him  to  increase  your  faith  ;  so  shall  your 
heart  be  happy,  your  life  holy,  and  your  soul  strong  in  the  grace 
that  is  in  Christ  Jesus... .2  Tim.  ii.  1. 

Jesii,  thou  author  of  our  faith,  O'er  all  our  lusts,  and  reas'ning  pride. 
Increase  its  pow'r  we  pray  ;  May  precious  faith  prevail, 

O  make  us  faithful  unto  death ;  Looking  to  Christ,  and  none  beside  : 
Live  in  us  ev'ry  day.  Our  Christ  within  the  vaiU       M. 


252  SEPTEMBER  6. 

Behold  mi)  hands  and  mvfeet,  that  it  is  I  ?ni/sclf....Ln/te 
xxiv.  39. 

Onf  Amintas  liad  done  valiant  acts,  and  lost  part  of  bis  arm 
in  the  field  of  battle  for  bis  country's  good.  His  brother  iKcbyluSs 
■was  like  to  be  condemned  to  die.  Amintas  came  into  court,  speaks 
not  a  word,  but  only  lifted  up  the  stump  of  his  arm  -without  a  hand, 
as  though  he  had  said,  see  what  I  have  lost  in  my  country's  cause  : 
his  silent  oratory  prevailed  and  saved  his  brother's  life.  "What  a 
much  more  affecting  sight  does  our  dear  Lord  now  present  to  his 
disciples  I  He  called  upon  them,  he  calls  upon  us  to  behold  :  they 
by  the  eye  of  sense  ;  we  by  the  eye  of  faith.  Consider  the  reasons 
for  this,  1st.  To  compose  and  comfort  their  minds:  they  were  ter- 
rified and  affrighted:  they  took  him  for  a  spirit.  Christ  is  touched 
w  iih  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities :  he  sympathizes  with  us"  in  all  our 
troubles.  One  cause  of  them  is  misapprehension  of  the  nature  of 
Christ,  we  too  ofi  forget  that  he  was  a  perfect  man,  like  unto  us 
in  all  things,  except  sin  :  "Behold  my  hands  and  my  feet  with  the 
nail  prints  in  them.  It  is  I  myself."  The  very  same  man,  with 
the  same  flesh  and  blood,  who  lately  hung  upon  the  cross.  Handle 
me:  feel  me.  2d.  It  was  to  confirm  their  faith,  in  his  dying  for 
their  sins  and  rising  again  for  their  justification  :  he  died  as  a  Aveak 
man  :  he  rose  as  the  almighty  God  :  as  God-man  he  atoned  for  sin, 
conquered  death  and  hell  for  us.  The  faith  of  this  is  the  source  of 
all  hope  and  the  spring  of  all  peace  to  our  souls.  3d.  He  says, 
Bf.hold,  Sec.  to  quicken  our  love.  O  soul,  can  you  behold  by  faith, 
and  think  of  the  love  and  sufferings  of  Jesus  for  your  salvation,  and 
not  love  him  ?  His  pierced  body,  hands  and  feet,  are  the  marks  of 
his  great  love  and  agony  of  sufferings  for  you.  O  love,  rejoice  and 
adore.  Does  he  not  deserve  the  whole  love  of  our  heart,  and  the 
sole  affections  of  our  soul  ?  Behold,  4th.  That  all  your  hope  may 
be  in  him.  Beware  of  that  cursed  notion  of  pride,  which  some  ad- 
vance ;  they  pretend  to  believe  in  Christ  for  the  pardon  of  sin,  but 
for  their  final  justification,  hope  in  their  own  works.  No,  my  Lord, 
the  sin-atoning,  law-fulfilling,  soul-justifying  work  is  thine,  and  thine 
alone.  I  will  hope  in  no  other.  My  soul,  I  charge  thee  fix,  con- 
stantly fix  all  thy  attention,  for  all  thy  hope,  upon  thy  once  pierced 
Lord.  My  conscience,  I  charge  thee,  when  base  intruders  would 
rival  his  glory,  banish  them,  cry  with  abhorrence,  get  ye  hence: 
"  What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?"....Hos.  xiv.  8. 

Behold,  my  soul,  the  scars  and  wounds  Say  faith,  what  answer  dost  tljoii  give  ? 
AVhich  Jesus  in  his  body  uore  :  Pardon  and  peace  unto  my  heart, 

See  how  his  jtrecious  love  abounds,      That  to  Cliriit's  glory  I  should  live, 
Think  of  ihy  sins. ...'twas  them  he  bore.  And  never  from  his  love  depart.      M. 


SEPTEMBER  7.  25J 

Peter  said,  Man,  I  liiioK  not  zvhat  thou  sa\jest....lAike 
xxii.  60. 

No,  Peter!  Why,  he  speaks  plain  enough:  he  is  confident 
of  thy  person,  knows  thy  voice,  and  the  very  brogue  of  thy  tongue: 
he  boldly  affirms,  "  Of  a  truth  thou  wast  with  Jesus."  This  is  a 
downright  lie,  to  say,  "I  know  not  what  thou  sayest."  Peter  is 
ashamed  of  his  Lord.  Is  he  not  ashamed  of  himself?  Not  yet. 
lie  lied  horridly  :  next,  he  curses  and  swears  bitterly.  Might  we 
not  expect  to  hear  next  he  was  damned  eternally  ?  He  deserved  it. 
Was  he  here  now,  he  would  confess  it  from  the  very  ground  of  his 
heart;  but  he  is  above,  confessing  his  desert  of  damnation,  and 
ascribing  salvation  to  God  and  the  Lamb.  For,  "the  Lord  turned 
and  looked  upon  Peter."  O,  who  can  say  what  there  was  in  that 
turn  and  that  look!  Lord,  give  us  to  feel  some  of  the  grace  and 
])ower  of  it,  that  we  may  improve  it.  Consider,  1st.  Sin  is  sin,  in 
God's  saints,  as  well  as  others :  yea,  their  sins  exceed  all  others  : 
yes,  and  God  sees  sin  in  them  too  as  well  as  others ;  and  he  will 
surely  punish  them  for  sin  too.  Let  us  not  be  wise  above  what  is 
written.  Saith  the  Lord,  "  you  only  have  I  known  (with  the  love  of 
•a  tender  father)  of  all  the  families  of  the  earth,  therefore  I  will 
punish  you  for  ai.i,  your  iniquities. "....Amos  iii.  2.  Who  can  say 
■what  a  hell  of  agonies  Peter  felt  when  he  wept  bitterly  ?  He  fully  ex- 
perienced that  truth,  which  he  after  preached  to  others ;  "  judgment 
must  begin  at  the  house  of  God."....  1  Pet.  iv.  17.  2d.  See  what 
this  judgment  is:  not  damnation  for  sin,  but  condemnation  for  sin 
in  the  heart  and  conscience :  the  sight  of  it  ;  feeling,  mourning, 
groaning  under  a  sense  of  it  ;  looking  up  to  God  with  a  broken 
heart,  a  contrite  spirit,  a  sorrowful  soul,  sighhig  out,  "  against 
thee,  O  Lord,  have  I  sinned,  and  done  evil  in  thy  sight."  Nothing 
but  thy  blood,  O  Jesu,  can  cleanse  mc.  O,  my  God,  let  thy  grace 
pardon  me  and  thy  Spirit  comfort  me.  3d.  What  affects  any  sinnei' 
thus?  The  Saviour's  turning  and  looking  upon  the  soul.  Sin  natu- 
rally hardens  the  heart  and  sears  the  conscience.  Peter,  after  his 
awful  fall,  would  have  run  away  from  Christ;  given  himself  up  to 
the  service  of  sin  and  satan,  till  he  fell  into  hell,  if  the  Lord  had 
left  him  to  himself.  So  would  you  and  I.  But  Jesus  turns  from 
his  anger  against  our  sins  ;  turns  to  us  in  love.  He  looks  :  instead 
of  frowning  us  into  black  despair  and  eternal  damnation,  he  looks 
with  love  ;  he  speaks  love  into  our  hearts  ;  he  melts  our  hearts  with 
his  gracious,  loving  looks,  into  sorrow  and  remorse  for  our  sins, 
and  with  hopes  of  mercy  and  pardon  from  his  loving  heart;  "for 
where  sin  abounded,  grace  much  more  abounds.".... Rom.  v.  20. 

Who  knows  the  bitterness  of  sin.  His  look  can  break  the  hardest  heart, 

But  those  who  see  the  love  of  Christ  ?  Sin  to  confess,  and  sin  resist.      M. 


254  SEPTEMBER  8. 

I  knoio  that  mij  Redeemer  livetli....Job  xix.  25. 

Matters  are  sometimes  brought  to  a  close  point  between  God 
and  the  soul:  it  is  stript  of  all  its  comforts :  the  soul  is  in  heaviness 
....iPet.  1.6.  It  is  broken  in  the  place  of  dragons  and  covered 
with  the  shadow  of  death,  as  the  Psalmist  most  affectingly  paints 
the  scenes  of  horror  and  affliction. ...Psalm  xliv.  19.  So  that  as  he 
says,  *'  I  had  fainted,  unless  I  had  believed.".. ..Psalm  xxvii.  13.  No- 
thing within,  nothing  without,  for  the  soul  to  stay  itself  upon,  but 
the  word  of  the  Lord  and  the  Lord  revealed  in  the  word.  Then  is 
that  sweet  word  fulfilled,  "They  shall  hang  upon  him  all  the  glory 
of  his  father's  house. "....Isa.  xxii.  24.  This  was  Job's  tried,  tempt- 
ed, afflicted,  yet  blessed  state  :  though  all  his  comforts  are  dead) 
still  his  Pvedeemer  liveth:  in  the  midst  of  all  his  losses,  he  had  not 
lost  this  blessed  knowledge  :  I  know  it  is  a  matter  of  the  greatest 
certainty  to  my  soul  ;  I  am  as  sure  of  it  as  of  my  existence,  that 
there  is  a  Redeemer  for  lost  sinners  ;  I  know  he  is  my  Redeemer  ;  I 
have  seen  my  want  of  him,  and  my  certain  destruction  without  his 
redemption:  he  liveth;  while  he  lives,  my  hopes  cannot  die,  my 
soul  cannot  despair;  stript  of  all  things  beside,  nothing  can  sepa- 
rate me  from  the  love  of  Christ ;  I  know  Christ  liveth  at  the  right 
hand  of  God  for  me,  because  he  liveth  in  my  heart  by  faith.  Such 
is  the  language  of  this  Old  Testament  saint.  Says  Luther,  "  I  had 
utterly  despaired,  had  I  not  known  that  Christ  was  head  of  the 
church.."  "Head  over  all  things  to  his  body  the  church. "....Eph. 
i.  22.  But  how  doth  a  soul  know,  with  Job,  that  Christ  is  my  Re- 
deemer, so  as  to  say,  with  Paul,  he  loved  me  and  gave  himself  for 
MK  ?  By  the  word  of  grace  we  know  there  is  a  Redeemer ;  by  th© 
testimony  of  the  Spirit  of  truth,  through  faith,  the  sinner  is  ena- 
bled to  say  he  is  mine,  imy  beloved,  my  friend  ;  these  are  two  infal- 
lible evidences  of  this.  Christ  has  both  our  hearts  and  our  hopes: 
©ur  heart  is  set  upon  him:  our  hopes  center  in  him.  1st.  Christ 
is  precious  to  our  hearts:  we  have  fellowship  with  him  by  faith  ;  we 
know  that  he  liveth,  because  wc  enjoy  the  comforts  of  liis  life  and 
love  in  our  souls  ;  we  know  him  both  as  dying  for  us  and  also  as 
living  in  us  ;  he  dwells  in  our  hearts  by  faith ;  he  sends  us  love  to- 
kens ;  he  draws  our  affections  to  himself,  from  the  world  of  sin  and 
vanity.  2d.  Our  hopes  are  in  him;  his  Spirit  gives  us  to  see  such 
an  infinite  perfection  in  his  glorious  work  and  finished  salvation,  as 
sickens  us  to  every  other  hope  ;  yea,  kills  self-righteousness  and  self- 
confidence  :  "  We  become  dead  to  the  law  by  the  body  of  Christ." 
....Rom.  vii.  4.  We  may  as  soon  place  our  confidence  in  the  righ- 
teousness of  the  thief  on  the  cross,  as  in  any  righteousness  of  our 
own :  "  We  know  that  he  abideth  in  us,  by  the  spirit  which  he  hath 
given  U6."....I  John  iii,  24. 


SEPTEMBER  9.  255 

Chi'ist  spake  this  parable  unto  certain  zcho  trusted  in 
themselves  that  they  ivere  righteous.. ..Luke  xviii.  9. 

Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  from  their  sins, 
into  all  holiness  of  heart  and  life:  his  gospel  requires  the  strictest 
purity  in  walk  and  conversation  :  those  wlio  have  experienced  its 
power,  find  their  souls  formed  for  this  :  yet  a  self-righteous  spirit 
is  as  odious  to  Christ  and  as  contrary  to  the  genius  of  his  gospel  as 
profuneness  ;  hence  he  spake  this  parable  against  such.  See,  1st. 
Who  are  here  reproved.  Every  one  who  places  his  tnast  or  confi- 
dence in  any  works  of  righteousness  which  he  has  done,  or  can  do, 
to  make  himself  righteous  before  God,  or  to  justify  himself,  first  or 
last,  in  whole  or  in  part  in  God's  sight.  Such  are  properly  pliarisees, 
or  self-righteous  persons.  Lord,  keep  our  souls  humble  before  thee, 
that  we  fall  not  into  this  cursed  pride  and  dangerous  delusion.  But 
such  say,  we  do  not  trust  in  what  we  can  do  of  ourselves,  but  what 
we  are  enabled  to  do  by  the  grace  of  God  :  so  this  self-righteous 
pharisee  said,  "  God  I  thank  thee  that  I  am  not  as  other  men  are." 
Here  Hes  the  very  essence  of  this  delusion  ;  for  lh6  holiest  saint  in 
Christ,  is  yet  a  sinner  himself,  and  his  nature  is  as  wicked  as  other 
men's  are.  The  man,  who  does  not  see,  and  confess,  as  taught  by 
Christ. ...Luke,  xviii.  1 1.... (after  all  that  he  is  by  grace,  and  all  that 
he  has  done  by  assisting  grace)  "  Lord  I  am  an  unprofitable  servant," 
is  blinded  by  self-righteousness  ;  has  never  seen  the  purity  and  spiri- 
tuality of  the  law  of  God,  the  abominable  vileness  of  his  own 
nature,  the  glory  and  perfection  of  Christ's  righteousness,  and  the 
necessity  of  his  being  found  in  it,  and  clothed  with  it,  to  be  justified 
before  God  :  such  have  not  been  convinced  of  sin  and  of  righteous- 
ness, by  tlie  Spirit  of  truth,  the  glorifier  of  Jesus.  See,  2d.  The 
evil  of  this  spirit  of  self-righteousness.  1st.  Such  are  Antinomi- 
ans:  they  are  against  and  make  void  the  law  ;  though  they  do  not 
fulfil  it,  nor  can  be  made  righteous  by  it,  yet  they  trust  in  them- 
selves that  they  are  righteous  contrary  to  it:  for  it  condemns  them 
as  sinners.  2d.  They  are  enemies  to  justification  by  God's  grace 
through  the  righteousness  of  Christ.  Like  the  Jews  of  old,  they 
*'  have  a  zeal  of  God,  but  not  according  to  knowledge  :  for  they 
being  ignorant  of  God's  righteousness,  (that  which  the  Son  of  God 
wrought  out,  which  fulfilled  the  law  of  God,  which  ho  imputes  to 
sinners,  and  by  which  he  justifies  sinners)  and  going  about  to  esta- 
blish their  own  righteousness, have  not  submitted  themselves  to  God's 
righteousness. "....Rom.  x.  2,  3.  Here  is  ignorance  and  unbelief.  To 
which,  3d.  Is  joined  pride.  They  are  of  a  diflerent  spirit  to  the 
humble  Jesus.  He  loves  sinners  ;  "  they  despise  others.".. ..Sel: 
Isa.  Ixv.  5. 


256  SEPTEMBER   10. 

By  llie  obedience  of  one,  (or  hi)  one  obedience)  shall  inanij 
be  made  righteous.. ..Rom.  v.  19. 

Joyful  truth  to  miserable  sinners.  O,  that  this  word  was 
ever  upon  our  minds,  "My  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts,  neither 
are,  your  ways  my  ways,  saith  the  Lord."....Isa.  Iv.  8.  Our  thoughts 
are  to  make  ourselves  righteous  by  our  own  obedience  :  and  our  ways 
are,  to  be  justified  before  God  by  our  own  righteousness  :  but  the 
Lord  calls  us  to  forsake  these  unrighteous  thoughts  as  well  as  wicked 
ways,  and  to  submit  by  faith  to  his  thoughts  and  his  ways,  to  be 
made  righteous  by  the  obedience  of  one.  Consider,  1st.  This 
negative  is  implied,  no  obedience  but  one  can  make  any  sinner  righ- 
teous. O  sinner,  what  art  thou  seeking  after,  and  striving  to  be 
and  to  do  ?  What  is  the  end  of  thy  praying,  reading,  hearing,  com- 
municating, striving  against  sin  and  to  excel  in  obedience  ?  &c.  Is 
it  to  make  thyself  righteous  ?  Then  it  all  proceeds  fi'om  unbelief  of 
this  truth,  by  one  obedience  shall  many  be  righteous,  and  by  no 
other  obedience  whatever.  •■'  Then,"  say  some,  "  there  is  an  end  to 
all  good  works."  No  :  from  the  faith  of  this  all  good  works  begin. 
There  is  indeed  an  end  to  all  the  evil  works  of  unbelief,  which  are 
done  to  supplant  the  one  spotless  obedience  of  Christ,  in  making 
sinners  righteous,  to  the  establishing  the  filthy  rags  of  man's  righ- 
teousness. Taught  by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  through  faith,  my  soul 
abhors  this:  I  firmly  believe  "  whatsoever  is  not  of  faith,  is  sin.".... 
Rom.  xiv.  23.  "  Works  which  do  not  spring  of  faith  in  Jesus  Christ, 
have  the  nature  of  s\n.".. ..Churc/i  Jrticle  XIII.  Hence,  O  my  soul, 
no  obedience  of  thine,  before  faith  in  Christ,  can  make  thee  righte- 
ous. Obedience  after  faith  doth  not  make  thee  righteous  ;  for  then 
thou  art  made  righteous  by  the  one  obedience  of  Christ.  Settle  this 
matter  well  in  thy  conscience  ;  the  glory  of  thy  God  and  the  com- 
fort of  thy  soul  spring  from  it.  For,  2d.  It  is  positively  asserted, 
"  By  THE  obedience  of  one  :  or  the  one  obedience  of  Christ,  shall 
many  be  made  righteous."  The  faith  of  God's  elect  takes  the  com- 
fort of  this,  and  will  love  Christ,  live  upon  his  righteousness,  and 
give  him  the  glory  of  it.  But,  3d.  Who  are  made  righteous  by 
Christ's  ONE  obedience?  Many:  "  The  many  sons  whom  Christ 
shall  bring  to  glory. "....Heb.  ii.  10.  Even  all  who  see  themselves 
miserable  sinners,  and  believe  in  Christ  for  righteousness,  unto 
justification  of  life.  What  a  glorious  way  is  this  of  making  sinners 
righteous  I  1st.  It  secures  all  the  glory  to  Christ.  2d.  It  keeps  the 
sinner  humble  before  him,  dependent  on  him,  and  prevt.'its  all  self- 
righteous  boasting.  While,  3d.  It  gives  the  poor  sinner  greatest 
boldness,  with  access  of  confidence  to  God.  4th.  It  inspires  warm 
love  to  Christ,  and  the  cheerful  obedience  of  faith. 


SEPTEMBER   11.  257 

Behold  this  dreamer  Cometh. ...Gen.  xxxvii.  19. 

James  says,  "  The  Spirit  that  dwelleth  in  us  lusteth  to  envy." 
^i.James  iv.  5.  This  is  fully  manifest  in  the  conduct  of  Joseph's 
brethren  against  him.  Joseph  seemed  an  open  hearted  lad,  simple 
and  without  guile  :  if  he  had  not  told  his  dreams,  he  had  not  raised 
his  brethren's  envy  ;  but  the  Lord's  hand  was  in  it :  no  thanks  to 
them  :  their  cruelty  to  Joseph  raised  him  to  the  greatest  eminence 
and  saved  them  from  death  by  famine.  Thus  the  Lord  brings  good 
out  of  evil.  Methinks  I  see  young  Joseph  coming  towards  his  breth- 
ren, and  they  looking  upon  him  with  an  air  of  the  greatest  contempt 
and  derision,  saying,  "Behold  this  dreamer  cometh  1"  There,  that's 
he,  that  we  are  all  to  bow  down  to,  worship  and  serve  ;  look  at  this 
mighty  dreamer  of  foolish  dreams.  St.  Paul,  in  enumerating  the 
sufferings  of  the  faithful,  says,  "Others  had  trials  of  cruel  mock- 
iNGs."....Heb.  xi.  36.  Sampson  by  the  Philistines:  Elisha  by  the 
children,  whom  the  bears  devoured:  David  by  Michal,  Sec.  But 
who  of  all  the  sons  of  men  ever  had  trial  of  such  cruel  mockings  as 
the  Son  of  God.  Know  then,  O  disciple,  thou  art  not  to  be  above 
thy  master:  it  is  sufficient  for  thee  to  be  as  thy  master.  Expect 
cruel  mockings.  Wast  thou  never  mocked  and  derided  for  thy  pro- 
fession? Then  thou  hast  reason  to  fear  thou  hast  not  been  faithful  to 
thy  Lord,  else  surely  the  world  would  have  seen  that  thou  hast  been 
with  Jesus,  and  as  verily  as  they  mocked  him  they  would  deride  thee. 
Though  you  need  not  cast  your  pearls  before  swine;  or  as  Joseph 
did,  tell  ALL  the  dealings  of  God  with  your  soul,  to  the  men  of  the 
world  ;  yet  if  you  dare  make  an  open  profession  of  salvation  by  the 
free  grace  of  God,  through  Jesus  only,  your  name  will  be  up,  mock- 
ings will  be  your  portion ;  yea,  men  will  say  of  thee,  as  Josepli's  breth- 
ren did  of  him,  "  Behold  this  dreamer  cometh."  See  that  vision- 
ary, enthusiastic  fool:  he  dreams  that  he  is  one  of  God's  elect; 
that  he  has  got  the  witness  of  the  Spirit  ;  that  he  is  sure  of  going  to 
heaven,  not  for  his  works,  but  by  grace,  through  faith  only.  Such 
honor  have  all  God's  saints.  Pray  now,  who  would  wish,  who 
would  strive  to  escape  it  ?  Would  you  lose  a  badge  of  your  profes- 
sion, a  mark  of  honor  that  you  are  the  followers  of  the  once  mocked 
and  derided  Son  of  God?  But  beware  of  being  deceived,  like  those 
of  old,  with  "the  visions  of  their  own  heart.".. ..Jer.  xxiii.  16.  But 
glory  in  the  heavenly  vision,  the  vision  of  the  Spirit,  the  vision  of 
faith:  let  men  mock  on;  let  devils  envy;  yet  the  vision  of  faith  is 
for  an  appointed  time.  Cruel  mockings  are  only  for  a  short  season  : 
soon,  very  soon,  you  shall  receive  the  end  of  your  faith,  tlie  salva- 
tion of  your  soul,  and  be  exalted  far  above  Joseph  at  Pharaoh's 
court:  you  shall  be  with  Jesus  above,  where  all  is  harmony,  peace 
and  love. 

Vol.  IL  Ji 


258  SEPTEMBER  12. 

-6"//^  said  truth.  Lord;  yet  the  dogs  eat  of  the  crumhs  xvhich 
fall  from  their  master  s  table.. ..Matt.  xv.  27. 

Here  is  blessed  reasoning :  it  produced  admiration  in  the  Lord  z 
"  O  woman,  great  is  thy  faith  !"  It  obtained  a  free  grace  grant  from 
him  also:  "  Be  it  imto  thee,  even  as  thou  wilt."  Great  faith  !  How 
docs  it  appear  ?  We  do  not  find  she  came  to  Christ  in  full  assurance 
of  faith,  saying,  I  know  thou  art  my  Saviour,  1  am  assured  thou 
hast  loved  me  and  wilt  save  me.  No.  Still  there  was  great  faith 
without  this.  Look  at  her  faith  :  imitate  it:  she  honored  the  Lord 
by  it ;  he  honoi-s  her  for  it.  1  st.  She  was  in  trouble :  she  flics  in- 
stantly to  Christ:  she  tells  him  of  her  sorrows  :  "Have  mercy  upoi> 
me,  O  Lord,  for  my  daughter  is  grievously  vexed  with  a  devil." 
To  cry  to  Jesus  for  mercy,  under  a  sense  of  being  vexed  with  a  devil, 
is  the  prayer  of  faith,  and  honors  the  Lord  of  glory.  2d.  Here  are 
great  discouragements:  Christ  answers  her  not  a  word:  the  disci- 
ples desire  him  to  cure  her,  that  ther  might  get  rid  of  her  :  but 
Jesus  answers,  (not  her,  but  his  disciples)  "I  am  not  sent,  but  to 
the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel."'  Was  not  this  repufse  enough 
to  strike  her  dumb  and  send  her  away  in  despair?  But,  3d.  Instead 
of  this,  her  faith  grew  stronger  and  her  importunity  greater.  She 
falls  at  his  feet,  withy  Lord  help  me.  O^  that  was  putting  it  home 
to  the  loving  heart  of  our  dear  Lord :  she  brouglvt  her  case  to  a  point : 
Jesus,  you  can  help  me  :  none  but  you  can:  if  you  do  not,  I  an^ 
miserable.  Have  you  no  compassion  for  a  poor  miserable  sinner? 
Lord'help  me.  Thus  casting  herself  upon  the  Lord's  love  and  power, 
she  at  last  gets  an  answer  from  him:  but  O,  such  a  one  as  was 
like  a  dagger  to  her  heait,  "  It  is  not  meet  to  take  the  children's 
bread,  and  cast  it  to  the  dogs."  Now,  docs  she  turn  away  like  a 
dog  ?  No.  4th.  She  had  got  a  child's  heart  and  a  child's  faith  too: 
for  she  again  puts  her  case  home  to  the  Saviour's  heart.  Mark  it : 
I  am  a  dog,  a  filthy,  unclean  creature;  let  me  be  fed  as  such  upon 
the  falling  crumb  :  I  know  I  do  not  deserve  even  that  from  thee. 
See  what  perseverance,  faith  and  prayer  will  do  :  it  overcomes  all 
difficulties,  surmounts  all  objections,  obtains  the  sought  for  mercy. 
Some  in  our  day  would  have  thought  this  woman  undervalued  her- 
self :  but  Jesus  humbles  those  sinners  to  the  very  lowest  whom  he 
)aises  to  the  very  highest.  O,  take  up  this  resolution,  "  I  will  wait 
upon  the  Lord  who  hideth  his  face  :  I  will  look  for  him."....Isa. 
viii.  ir. 


Tho'  vile,  tlio'  hopeless  is  my  case,  Tho'  he  don't  grant  at  Trst  my  suit, 

And  in  mystlf  I've  nought  to  plead;  Yet  will  1  hope,  believe  and  pray: 

Yet  will  1  look  tojesu's  grace.  My  soul  be  still  importunate, 

lie  has  all  fulness  for  my  need  Tho' wretched,  he  ne'er  sends  away.  M» 


SEPTEMBER   13.  259 

Where/or/;,  lift  up  the  hands  ichich  Jiang  down,  and  the 
feeble  knees..., Heb.  xii.  12. 

Are  you  saying,  ray  troubles  are  many,  my  burden  is  great, 
and  hope  deferred  makes  my  heart  sick  ?  True,  a  faint  l>eart  makes 
weak  hands  and  feeble  knees:  then  afflictions  become  intolerable, 
<luty  tiresome,  prayer  irksome,  the  ordinances  like  dry  breasts,  the 
lamp  of  spiritual  life  seems  expiring,  the  poor  sinner  grows  deject- 
ed and  dispirited,  is  ready  to  give  up  hope,  and  to  give  way  to  des- 
pondency. The  coMFORTKR  inspires  a  work  for  such,  "lift  up  your 
hands,"  &c.  Do  you  say,  the  advice  is  good,  but  the  practice  hard? 
Paul  supposes  it  :  for  he  introducelh  it  with  wherekore.  O,  I 
tlearly  love  these  scripture  adverbs  1  Much  courage  and  comfort  are 
got  by  attending  to  them.  Wherefore,  or  for  which  reason,  lift  up 
your  weak  hands,  or  the  weak  hands  of  others.  Consider  why,  or 
Avherefore,  we  should  do  this.  1st.  We  have  Jesus  to  look  unto  for 
patience.  He  is  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith  ;  he  bore  our 
sins  ;  he  hath  for  ever  took  aAvay  the  curse  due  to  them ;  he  has 
made  our  peace  with  God  ;  God  is  in  him  reconciled  to  us.  He  who 
endured  the  cross  for  our  sins,  and  despised  the  shame  of  being 
treated  as  a  malefactor,  in  love  to  our  persons,  is  now  before  the 
throne  of  God  praying  for  us.  O,  J.liis  look  is  reviving!  2d.  Con- 
sider Jesus,  the  captain  of  our  salvation,  lest  ye  be  weary  and  faint. 
He  was  made  perfect  through  sufferings,  that  he  might  bring  many 
sons  unto  glory.  He  is  bringing  you,  through  much  tribulation, 
into  his  kingdom.  Consider  the  love  and  sorrows  of  Jesus  for  you. 
Look  on  yourself  as  a  suffering  member  of  a  once  suffering  head  : 
so  shall  your  weak  mind  be  strengthened  and  your  weary  mind  re- 
freshed. 3d.  Forget  not,  but  consider  the  exliortation.  My  Sox. 
Precious  application  !  God  is  your  Father ;  he  loves  you  with  the 
same  everlasting  and  \mchangeable  love  as  he  did  his  only  begotten 
Son:  he  treats  you  in  love  :  he  chastises  you  as  his  child.  Why? 
Because  he  is  in  wrath  against  you  ?  No ;  but  to  make  you  more  like 
himself  in  iMjliness.  O  then  lift  up  your  hands  to  your  brother  Jesus, 
your  Father  God,  in  confident  faith,  in  humble  prayer.  Though  all 
within  is  clouded  dejection,  yet  all  above  is  sun-shine,  joy,  peace,  and 
consolation.  Cpusider  your  hope  ;  *'  It  is  as  an  anchor  of  the  soul." 
On  what  is  it  fixed?  It  enteretli  into  that  within  the  vail,  whither 
the  fore-rupner  is  for  us  entered,  even  Jesus.. ..Heb.  vi.  19,20. 

When  knees  are  weak,  and  hands  hang  Then  let  our  sighing  hearts  to  Christ, 
And  we  can't  run  nor  pray,    fdown,      In  faith  and  hope  ascend  : 

Still  Jesus  is  before  the  thronp  And  all  our  doubts  and  fears  resist. 

For  us,  tho' weak,  each  day.  Christ  is  our  faithful  friend.     M. 


260  SEPTEMBER   14. 

He  saw  his  glory,  and  spake  of  him....  John  xii.  41. 

Ministers  who  do  not  preach  Christ,  sinners  who  do  not  speak 
of  Christ,  are  objects  of  pity,  not  of  our  wrath  :  their  eyes  are 
blind  to  his  matchless  glory  :  their  hearts  do  not  understand  his  un- 
paralleled love.  But  consider,  1st.  When  once  Christ's  glory  is  dis- 
played and  his  love  believed  in  the  heart,  the  tongue  will  speak  of 
him.  So  Isaiah  found  it.  So  did  that  poor  woman  of  Samaria,  "  she 
ran  into  the  city,"  she  catcheti  hold  of  one  and  another,  she  eagerly 
cried,  "Come,  see  a  man  who  told  me  all  things  that  ever  I  did,  is 
not  this  the  Christ?"  Surely  it  is,  what  think  ye?.. ..John  iv.  29. 
She  had  sweet  experience.  Here  was  no  self-exalting ;  no  cry,  see 
me,  admire  me  ;  what  fine  experience  I  have  got!  One  is  some- 
times grieved  to  I'ead  or  hear  people  tell  of  their  experiences,  when 
they  lend  only  to  make  the  poor  sinner  appear  as  somewhat  glorious 
in  his  own  eyes,  and  to  be  admired  by  his  fellow  sinners  :  this  is  not 
right.  If  the  sinner's  vileness  is  not  fully  explored,  and  the  Sa- 
viour's glory  ONLY  exalted,  such  souls  know  not  as  they  ought  to 
know  ;  such  experiences  are  not  profitable,  they  are  not  worth  at- 
tending to.  2d.  When  sinners  see  Christ's  glory,  they  will  speak 
of  him  to  God  the  Father;  they  will  come  in  his  name  ;  they  will 
plead  his  blood  only  for  the  pardon  of  sin,  his  righteousness  alone 
for  the  justification  of  their  souls,  his  intercession  for  their  obtaining 
every  blessing  in  earth  and  heaven.  Thus  we  can  come  boldly  to  a 
throne  of  grace  ;  thus  we  expect  freely  to  obtain  mercy  to  relieve  us, 
and  grace  to  comfort  us  :  thus  Ave  are  sure,  perfectly  sure,  Ave  are 
welcome  to  God :  for  he  hath  told  us  so.  It  pleased  the  Father,  that 
in  Christ  all  fulness  (of  grace  and  glory)  should  dAvell....Col.  i.  19. 
"  That  out  of  his  fulness  Ave  should  receive. "....John  i.  16.  Having 
seen  Christ's  glory,  Ave  come  to  him  for  this  grace.  For,  3d.  The 
sight  of  Christ's  glory  blinds  us  to  our  own  fancied  glory.  The  more 
Ave  sec  of  Jesus,  the  less  Ave  like  ourselves:  Ave  groAV  out  of  conceit 
Avith  ourselves.  \V' hat  glory  is  there  in  a  filthy  dunghill,  a  cage  of 
imclean  birds,  a  nest  of  serpents,  toads  and  adders  ?  Worse,  inex- 
pressibly Avorse  are  Ave  than  all  these.  Our  natures  are  half  beast 
half  devil.  Yet,  astonishing  love  !  Jesus  displays  the  glory  of  his 
grace  to  us.  Nothing  but  unbelief  prevents  our  beholding  it :  "  Said 
I  not  unto  thee,  if  thou  woiildest  believe,  thou  shouldcst  see  my 
glory  ?".... John  xi.  40. 

When  1  my  Saviour's  glory  see  My  tongue  is  looG'd  to  speak  his  fame, 

Itcvcalcd  in  the  word  to  faith,  And  tell  poor  sinners  all  around, 

My  sniil  is  full  of  ecstacy,  That  they  with  me  may  know  his  name, 

1  dwell  with  joy  on  what  he  saith,  And  say,  I've  precious  Jesus  found,  M. 


SEPTEMBER   15.  261 

Put  of  the  old  man..,.Eph.  iv.  22. 

People  who  love  money  better  than  a  good  conscience,  make 
nothing  of  putting  off  base  and  counterfeit  coin.  Christian,  you 
may  safely  imitate  ihcm,  in  putting  off  the  base  old  man  :  the  more 
the  love  of  Christ  is  in  you,  the  more  will  you  do  it.  1st.  What  is 
meant  by  this  old  man?  Corrupt  nature,  which  was  born  with  you, 
is  part  of  you,  lives  in  you,  and  will  never  be  dead  so  long  as  your 
body  lives.  Though  near  six  thousand  years  old,  yet  he  is  very 
strong  and  vigorous  at  times  :  yea,  though  you  are  a  child  of  God 
and  a  member  of  Christ,  he  wants  to  have  the  mastery  over  you  : 
you  could  never  have  conquered  him  had  not  Christ  crucified  him. 
Though  crucified,  you  can  never  subdue  him,  but  by  the  strength 
of  Ciirist :  nor  you  cannot  put  him  off,  but  I)y  the  grace  of  Christ ; 
for  he  clings  and  twines  round  you  like  a  serpent;  yet  you  are  com- 
manded to  put  him  off.  This  is  your  duty  from  day  to  day.  But 
it  is  not  by  your  might  nor  power,  but  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord. 
2d.  Why  are  you  called  upon  to  put  him  off?  1st.  Because  all  his 
reasonings  are  corrupt,  his  every  suggestion  is  totally  evil  :  he 
would  corrupt  the  gospel,  pervert  its  truths,  reject  its  promises,  and 
defy  its  threatcnings.  2d.  All  his  lusts  or  desires  are  deceitful :  he 
deceives  by  the  pride  of  self-righteousness  as  well  as  by  gross  sins. 
3d.  He  is  an  enemy  to  thy  Lord,  a  supplanter  of  his  glory,  and  a 
rival  of  thy  faith  in  him,  peace  from  him,  and  ol)edience  to  him. 
If  you  cherish  him,  you  lose  the  comfort  ef  your  best  friend's  pre- 
sence. If  you  reason  with  him,  you  perplex  your  mind  and  lose 
the  simplicity  of  faith.  If  you  follow  his  promise  of  liberty,  you 
will  get  into  bondage:  "If  ye  live  after  the  flesh,  ye  shall  die.".... 
Rom.  viii.  13.  3d.  What  is  implied  by  putting  off  the  old  man? 
1st.  That  he  always  continues  the  same  ;  he  is  never  changed  for 
the  belter.  2d.  That  he  always  remains  alive  in  you.  But,  3d. 
That  you  should  put  him  down  from  his  seat  of  rule  over  you  ;  put 
him  off  in  your  thoughts,  walk  and  conversation,  just  as  you  would 
an  old  filthy  garment ;  or  like  an  odd,  troublesome,  intruding  old 
man,  who  would  knock  at  your  door,  and  want  admittance  to  you. 
Put  him  off,  with  this  reply,  I  have  the  blessed  company  of  the  new 
man,  Christ  Jesus  ;  here  is  no  admittance  for  you  :  "  I  have  put  on 
the  new  man,  which  after  God  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true 
holiness.".. ..Eph.  iv.  24.  Put  off  the  old  man,  by  humble  faith  and 
earnest  prayer,  ever  remembering,  I  can  do  all  things,  through 
Christ's  strengthening  me....Phil.  iv.  13. 

Strange  is  the  mystery  of  grace  !  In  Christ  I  am  completely  bless'd, 
Tho'  I  am  a  creature  new,  Tho'  curs'd  with  sin  and  strife, 

Yet  still  I  find  thro'  all  my  days,  From  the  old  man  whom  I  resist, 
The  old  man  in  me  too.  O  when  will  end  his  life.         M. 


262  SEPTEMBER   16. 

Let  the  iccak  say,  I  am  strong.... Joel  iii.  10. 

Where  is  the  weak  doubting  sinner?  Stand  forth  my  soul ;  thy 
Lord  arraigns  thee,  he  judges  and  passes  sentence  of  reproof  upon 
thee:  "O  thou  of  little  faith,  wherefore  dost  thou  doubt ?".... Matt, 
xiv.  31.  Your  doubts  come  from  your  little  faith  :  your  doubts  pre- 
vent the  increase  of  faith.  You  can  easily  believe  the  Lord  is  dis- 
pleased at  your  sins.  What  is  sin  but  disobeying  his  commands? 
But  did  you  never  consider  it  as  a  sin,  a  gi'eat  sin,  not  to  believe 
when  he  commands  ?  Not  to  be  obedient  to  his  word,  when  he  re- 
quires you  to  be  strong  in  faith,  "  strong  in  the  grace  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus  ?"....2  Tim.  ii.  1.  '*  Strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power 
of  his  might  r"....Eph.  vi.  10.  O,  you  do  not  enough  attend  to  this  I 
But  you  say,  "  I  am  so  weak  in  myself."  Who  is  not?  He  who 
thinks  he  is  not,  is  the  weakest  of  all  in  self-knowledge.  The  great, 
the  strong,  the  inspired  Paul,  gives  this  challenge,  "  Who  is  weak, 
and  I  am  not  weak :".... 2  Cor.  xi.  29.  You  arc,  in  yourself,  upon 
a  level  with  patriarchs,  prophets,  apostles  and  all  saints  ;  and  they 
were  all  alike  upon  a  level  with  you,  in  point  of  self-weakness.  Here 
is  a  command  for  you.  Let  the  weak  say  I  am  strong,  Lo,  I 
tell  you  of  a  great  saint,  a  strong  believer,  who  found  himself  so 
>veak,  that  he  took  the  prophet's  advice,  and  takes  up  these  very 
words.  Would  you  wish  to  follow  the  example  of  a  better  saint  than 
St.  Paul  ?  He  says,  "  When  I  am  weak  then  am  I  strong."....2  Cor. 
xii.  10.  This  is  a  heavenly  art :  it  is  to  be  learned  every  day.  Put 
it  in  practice  this  night ;  thy  Lord's  glory  is  concerned  in  it :  thy 
comfort  springs  from  it.  Say,  am  I  weak  to  strive  against  sin,  to 
resist  satan,  to  overcome  the  world,  to  deny  myself,  to  follow  Christ, 
to  pray  unto  him,  believe  and  hope  in  him,  cleave  to  him,  ajid  love 
him  ?  &c.  What  then  ?  I  doubt  be  will  cast  me  off  and  suffer  me  to 
perish.  Would  you  serve  a  weak  member  of  your  body  or  treat  a 
weak  child  of  your  loins  so  ?  Would  you  not  rather  strive  to  strength- 
en it?  So  does  your  Lord.  He  says,  be  strong  in  the  grace  which  is 
in  me:  my  strength  is  yours:  my  life  is  yours:  all  I  am  and  have 
as  God,  man  and  Mediator,  is  yours  :  go  out  of  weak  self:  live  by 
faith  on  me.  Remember,  even  the  renowned  heroes  of  faith,  they 
were  not  only  weak,  but  wkakness  itself :  *' Yet  out  of  weakness 
they  were  made  strong.".... Ileb.  xi.  34.  O  consider,  you  are  engag- 
ed in  a  good  cause,  well  provided  with  the  best  armour,  and  as- 
s\u-cd  of  perfect  victory,  by  Jesus,  the  captain  of  your  salvation.... 
Htb.  ii.  10. 

Tho*  weak  as  helpless  infancy,  Lord,  make  us  on  thy  strength  rely, 

We  daily  feel  we  are.  And  face  each  daring  foe  : 

Yet  in  the  Lord  our  strength  doth  lie,  While  looking  unto  thee  as  nigh, 
We  are  his  past'ral  ca;e.  We  unto  conqu'ring  go.  M. 


SEPTEMBER   17.  263 

Behold,  this  day,  I  am  going  the  way  of  all  the  earth.... 
Josh,  xxiii.  14. 

Though  fully  assured  of  his  near  dissolution,  yet  with  what 
calm  composure  does  Joshua  utter  these  words  ?  Though  you  are  a 
sinner  and  must  fall  under  the  sentence  of  death  for  sin,  yet  you 
need  not  he  under  hondat^e  all  your  life  time  through  fear  of  death. 
Why  should  you?  Has  not  the  sinner's  friend  gained  a  complete  and 
everlasting  victory  over  death,  the  sinner's  enemy  ?  Consider,  1st. 
What  Christ  hath  done  for  us  sinners  ;  for  sinners  we  are  and  shall 
be,  though  redeemed  by  the  blood  and  sanctified  by  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  when  the  messenger  of  death  kills  our  body  and  calls  our 
souls  to  glory.  Honor  thy  Lord's  work  by  the  faith  of  thy  heart  ; 
so  fear  and  terror  shall  flee  from  thy  soul.  1st.  Uy  his  death  he  has 
appeased  divine  justice.  As  Jonah  his  type  being  cast  into  the  sea, 
quelled  the  storm,  so  Christ  being  cast  into  the  furnace  of  divine 
wrath,  quenched  the  flames.  God  is  just,  while  he  justifies  the  un- 
godly sinners  Avho  believe  in  Jesus. ...Rom.  iii.  26.  2d.  He  has 
silenced  all  the  accusations  of  the  law:  he  hath  redeemed  us  from 
the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us... .Gal.  iii.  13.  3d. 
Upon  this  follows  the  removal  of  guilt:  "  He  took  away  our  sins  by 
the  sacrifice  of  himself.".. ..Heb.  ix.  26.  "  We  have  redemption 
through  his  blood  even  the  forgivencssof  our  sins."... .Eph.  i.  7.  4th. 
"He  hath  wrought  out  and  brought  in  an  everlasting  righteousness 
for  us.  We  are  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him. "....2  Cor. 
v.  21.  5th.  "He  hath  conquered  satan :  by  his  death  he  hath  de- 
stroyed him  who  had  tlie  power  of  death,  tiiat  is,  the  devil. "....Heb. 
ii.  14.  6th.  "  He  hath  opened  heaven  to  us.  We  lost  a  paradise 
by  sin.  We  gain  heaven  by  the  cross  of  Christ.  It  is  our  purchased 
possession. "....Eph.  i.  14.  Lastly,  he  hath  obtained  a  victory  over 
sin  and  death,  so  that  we  may  joyfully  cry  out,  "thanks  be  to  God, 
which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.''.... 
1  Cor.  XV.  57.  Now,  if  Christ  has  appeased  justice,  silenced  the  law, 
taken  away  the  guilt  of  sin,  is  made  righteousness  to  us,  conquere(i 
satan,  opened  heaven,  overcome  death,  and  obtained  victory  for  us, 
what  have  we  to  fear  I  W'hy  should  we  not  triumph  in  the  views  of 
death?  We  cannot  without,  2d.  The  work  of  the  Spirit  in  us. 
But  if  he  has  made  the  work  of  Christ  glorious  in  our  eyes  :  if  he 
has  given  us  to  see  our  need  of  it ;  to  believe  in  and  rely  upon  Christ's 
life  and  death  as  our  title  to  heaven  and  glory  ;  by  the  faith  of  this 
he  hath  sanctified  our  souls,  as  vessels  of  honor,  to  the  glory  of 
Christ.  It  is  our  privilege  to  rejoice  in  him  ;  to  look  uf>on  his  victo- 
ries as  our  own  ;  to  triumph  over  every  enemy,  and  death  as  the  last 
enemy  :  for  though  he  is  an  enemy  to  the  flesh,  he  is  the  best  friend 
to  the  soul. 


264  SEPTEMBER   18. 

JVe  icalk  by  faith  and  not  by  sight — 2Cor.  v.  7. 

Thus  we  quit  sense  for  faith:  so  we  overcome  the  lust  of  the 
eyes.  To  gratify  this  is  contrary  to  the  walk  of  faith.  Then,  is  it 
any  marvel  that  we  lose  the  peace,  comfort  and  joy  of  faith  ?  But 
this  is  not  what  is  here  meant  by  sight,  as  opposed  to  faith.  Here 
is  an  infallible  truth ;  though  a  christian,  by  the  eye  of  sense,  can 
neither  see  God,  Christ,  the  things  of  the  heavenly  world,  &c.  yet 
he  walks  in  the  firm  belief  of  what  the  word  of  God  tells  him  of 
them  :  and  hence,  they  have  the  supreme  affection  of  his  soul,  from 
day  to  day.  Faith  supplies  the  sight  of  them.  They  are  as  real  to 
the  mind  as  though  seen  by  the  bodily  eye.  Thus,  a  lively  hope  of 
enjoying  them  is  kept  up  in  the  heart :  "  We  are  always  confident," 
we  are  as  sure  of  the  existence  of  spiritual,  heavenly  and  invisible 
objects,  as  we  are  of  our  own  being.  O  ye  sons  of  carnal  sight  and 
sense !  ye  deride  us :  we  pity  you :  ye  look  only  at  temporal  shadows, 
we  at  eternal  substance  :  "  The  things  which  are  not  seen  are  eter- 
nal."....2  Cor.  iv.  18.  See  the  preciousness  of  faith.  For,  1st. 
Though  we  do  not  now  nor  ever  have  seen  Christ,  yet  we  love  him  ; 
believing  in  him,  we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory.... 
1  Pet.  i.  8.  For,  2d.  We  see  in  ourselves  nothing  but  sin  and 
misery  ;  but  by  faith  we  know  Ave  are  perfectly  righteous  in  Christ, 
perfectly  accepted  to  God,  perfectly  justified  in  his  sight,  presented 
Avithout  spot  of  sin.  3d.  We  see  our  bodies  under  the  sentence  of 
death,  daily  dying,  hasting  to  the  grave  :  natural  sight  can  look  no 
farther.  There  we  see  an  end  of  our  existence  ;  the  body  turns  to 
dust :  but  by  faith  we  look  through  death  and  the  grave,  we  see,  and 
say,  *'  We  know,  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were 
dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens. "....2  Cor.  v.  1.  4th.  Though  we  do  not  see 
how,  nor  can  explain  the  manner  of  the  Spirit's  work  upon  our  souls, 
no  more  than  we  can  tell  from  whence  the  wind  cometh,  or  whither 
it  goelh :  yet  by  sweet  experience  we  can  say,  "  He  that  hath  wrought 
us  for  this  self-same  thing,  is  theSpirit  of  God."....2  Cor.  v.  5.  For 
we  find  ourselves  formed  to  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who 
loved  us  and  gave  himself  for  us. ...Gal.  ii.  20.  Hence  we  are  dead 
to  the  pleasures  of  sense  and  the  joys  of  carnal  mirth  ;  for,  we  see 
Jesus  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  where  is  fulness  of  joy,  and  plea- 
sures for  evermore. ...Psalm  xvi.  1 1. 

Blest  be  our  Lord  who  gave  us  faith,  Keep  up  this  quick  and  piercing  sight. 
Things  out  of  sight  to  see,  Dear  Lord,  of  things  above: 

To  live  and  walk  by  what  he  saith,  That  we  may  walk  with  thee  in  light. 
This  shall  our  glory  be.  Rejoicing  in  thy  love.  M. 


SEPTEMBER  19.  265 

With  cloitds  he  covereth  the  light,  and  coimnandeth  it  not  to 
shine,  by  the  claud  that  cometh  betzvixt....Job  xxxvi.  32. 

The  sun,  from  its  first  formation  by  its  almighty  creator,  shines 
at  all  times  alike:  there  never  was,  is,  nor  can  be  any  addition  to, 
or  dimunition  from  its  light  and  heat.     But  we  perceive  a  sensible 
difference :   even  the  intervention  of  a  cloud  coming  between  us  and 
the  sun,  hides  and  obscures  the  glorious  rays  of  light  from  us.  There 
are  fixed  laws  in  creation.     All   nature   acts  under  the   direction  of 
those   laws,  prescribed  by  our  all-wise  Lord.     As  in  nature,  so  in 
grace;  as  by  the  natural  sun,  so  it  is  by  the  sun  of  righteousness,  it 
shines  with  equal   degree  of  resplendent  glory,  of  light,  love   and 
grace  at  all  times.     But,  we  are  not  always  alike  sensible  of  it.    Why 
not  ?  As  clouds  and  vapours  arise  from  the  earth  and  interrupt  the 
light  of  the  natural   sun,  by  coming  between  that   and  us  ;  just  so 
the  clouds  of  sin,  the  vapours  of  corruption,  the  thick  fog  of  unbelief, 
which  arise  from  our  earthly,  carnal  nature,  come   between  us  and 
our  glorious  sun  of  righteousness;   so  its  light  is  obscured,  its  heat 
interposed,  and   its   comforts  prevented  :   then  our  poor  hearts  are 
distressed  and  our  spirits  dejected  :   the  Lord  hides  his  face  and  we 
are  troubled.    Isaiah  gives  a  very  striking  account  of  this ;  "  The  stars 
of  heaven  and  the  constellations  thereof  shall  not  give   their  light : 
the  sun  shall  be  darkened   in  his   going  forth,  and  the  moon  shall 
not  cause  her  light  to  shine. "....Isa.  xiii.  10.     Hast  thou  not  known 
somewhat  of  such  a  day  of  darkness   and   distress  ?   My  soul   has 
mourned  on  the  account  of  it :   but  methinks  I  have  found  it  sweet  in 
experience,  when  satan,  or  an  unkind  enemy  hath  tried  and  strove  to 
False  a  dust,  and  bring  a  cloud  over  one's  mind  in  vain.     It  is  true, 
they  have  disturbed  and  perplexed  one :  but  they  could  bring  nothing 
between  one's   soul  and  Jesus,  our   glorious  sun  of  righteousness : 
they  have  agitated  the  air,  they  have  tried  their  efforts  upon  nature, 
but   could   raise  no  cloud  of  sin,  no  vapour  of  corruption.     Jesus 
shone  without  a  cloud.     No   intervening  obscurity  darkened   one's 
views.     Then  love  reflected  its  strong  and  powerful  rays.     Then  it 
was  sweet.     Well,  a  few  more  cloudy  and  sun-shiny  days,  and  we 
shall  be  at  home  :  but  we  have  always  this  precious  promise  to  sup- 
port us,  "  Unto  you  that  fear  my  name,  shall  the  sun  of  righteous- 
ness arise  with  healing  in  his  wings.".. ..Mai.  iv.  2. 

Without  thy  light  and  love,  Let  no  preventing  cloud, 

Dear  Lord,  what  is  this  life  ?  Obscure  thy  glorious  face, 

Thy  precious  beams  dart  from  above,  Leave  not  my  soul  in  darkness  bow 'd, 

Or  all  is  pain  and  strife.  Thou  sun  of  rigUteousnesv  M. 

Vol.  IL  K  k 


266  SEPTEMBER  20. 

Give  us  this  day  our  dailij  bread.... Matt.  vi.  11. 

Happiness,  that  inestimable  jewel,  springs  only  from  content. 
Christian  content  is  founded  in  humility.  The  humble  christian 
lives  Upon  the  fulness  of  God  :  thence  he  seeks  all  his  supplies. 
Our  Lord  hot  only  teaches  his  disciples  the  words  of  prayer,  which 
any  body  may  use,  but  also  gives  the  spirit  of  prayer,  peculiar  to 
themselves  only.  This  consists,  1st.  In  knowing  our  wants.  2d. 
In  seeking  a  supply  of  them  from  the  Lord.  Give  us,  3d.  this 
DAY,  (just  from  hand  to  mouth),  daily  bread,  all  the  blessings  of 
providence  and  grace,  needful  for  us  as  men  and  christians.  1st. 
Do  we  know  our  wants  ?  The  sight  and  sense  of  this  will  make  and 
keep  VIS  very  low  and  humble  in  our  own  eyes,  for  we  shall  go  out  of 
mu-selves  and  live  out  of  ourselves.  Do  we  want  daily  bread  to  sup- 
port our  bodies?  Have  we  no  spring  of  life  in  ourselves  but  what 
must  be  fed  and  nourished  from  the  food  we  receive  from  day  to  day? 
J\ist  so  it  is  with  our  souls.  Christ  saith,  "  I  am  the  bread  of  life." 
....Jolm  vi.  48.  We  have  no  inherent  stock  of  spiritual  food  in  our- 
selves ;  the  man  who  thinks  so,  is  as  foolish  as  he  Avould  be  who 
should  say  he  has  a  supply  within  himself  for  natural  food,  he  needs 
not  pray  for  it.  2d.  Do  we  seek  supply  from  our  Lord?  He  says, 
"  Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger.. ..Matt.  v.  6.  Their  blessedness 
consists  m  coming  empty  to  him  to  be  filled  :  give  us.  Dear  Lord, 
I  am  just  the  same  hopeless,  helpless,  miserable  siimer  in  myself, 
as  I  was  when  I  first  heard  of  thee  and  came  imto  thee.  3d.  Givk 
me  this  day  my  daily  bread  :  thy  flesh  to  eat  and  thy  blood  to  drink. 
Thy  flesh  is  meat  indeed  :  thy  blood  is  drink  indeed.... John  vi.  55. 
Lord,  thou  hast  said,  "  he  that  eateth  me,  even  he  shall  live  by  me." 
....John  vi.  57.  O,  that  in  feeding  on  thee  by  faith,  I  may  know 
that  I  have  ettrnal  life  and  that  thou  wilt  raise  me  up  at  the  last  day. 
This  feeding  is  vastly  preferable  to  disputing.  True,  we  are  ex- 
horted to  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  ;  but  then  it  should  be  with 
a  desire  that  our  own  souls  and  the  souls  of  others  be  edified,  fed  and 
nourished  by  the  faith  of  Jesus;  else  it  is  but  vain  jangling.  Who 
would  not  contend  for  his  natural  food?  Hom'  jealous,  how  watchful 
should  we  be  against  every  enemy  who  would  prevent  our  comforta- 
ble feeding  upon  Christ,  the  bread  of  life  ?  The  more  we  feed  upon 
this  bread,  the  less  appetite  we  have  to  the  pleasures  of  this  world 
and  the  vanities  of  sense.  Our  spiritual  food  transforms  us  into  the 
image  of  our  Lord,  and  causes  us  to  aspire  after  him  and  long  to  be 
V  ith  him.  Precious  promise  !  "Jesus  shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shep- 
herd."....Isa.  xl.  1 1. 

Jesii,  who  ait  the  bread  of  life,  And  grant  us  to  grow  strong  in  thee, 

O  feed  our  souls  this  da/,  To  run  the  heav'nly  way.  M. 


SEPTEMBER  21.  267 

The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseih  us  from  all 
sin. ...\  John  i.  7. 

Most  precious  truth  for  guilty  sinners  I  Lord  help  us  most 
deeply  to  consider  what  is  implied  in  these  words.  1st.  See  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin.  It  has  brought  these  dreadful  evils  upon 
us:  1st.  Loss  of  God's  image.  2d.  Obnoxiousness  to  his  wrath. 
5d.  Rejection  from  his  presence.  For  we  arc  by  sin  totally  unclean. 
The  pollution  of  sin  has  brought  the  curse  of  God's  law  upon  us, 
armed  his  justice,  shut  his  kingdom  against  us,  and  opened  the  gates 
of  hell  to  us.  The  bitter  cries  and  exquisite  torments  of  the  damned 
in  hell  will  eternally  proclaim  the  malignancy  of  sin.  The  everlast- 
ing songs  of  the  saints  in  glory  will  for  ever  proclaim  the  praises  of 
the  Lamb,  who  washed  them  from  their  sins  in  his  own  blood.  2d. 
This  proves  the  curse  and  defilement  of  sin.  The  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  that  alone  cleanseth  from  all  its  deepest  stains.  O  the 
infinite  love  of  the  Son  of  God,  to  shed  his  blood  for  guilty  sinners! 
O  the  infinite  virtue  of  his  precious  blood  to  cleanse  us  from  all  sin  ! 
Remember,  God's  justice  would  have  been  eternally  glorified  and 
thy  soul  eternally  suffering  his  wrath  due  to  thy  sins,  if  the  blood 
of  his  Son  had  not  cleansed  thee  from  all  sin.  Reflect  on  this,  and 
say,  canst  thou  think  light  of  sin  or  count  the  blood  of  Jesus  of 
little  value  ?  O,  see  sin's  crimson  dye  in  the  purple  gore  of  the  Son 
of  God,  which  was  shed  to  atone  for  it  and  cleanse  from  it.  od. 
"  Cleanseth  us."  Not  only  hath  cleansed  and  shall  cleanse,  but  it 
continually  doth  so  :  it  removes  all  the  filth  of  sin  from  before  God 
And  takes  all  the  guilt  of  sin  out  of  our  consciences  ;  so  that  we  are 
perfectly  clean  and  without  spot  of  sin  in  God's  sight,  and  perfectly 
freed  from  all  condemnation  for  sin  in  our  consciences.  4th.  "The 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ."  This  means  the  last  act  of  the  tragedy  of 
the  life  of  our  anointed  Saviour  :  his  blood  being  the  ransom  of  our 
souls,  the  price  of  our  redemption,  and  the  expiation  of  our  sins. 
5th.  "  His  Son:"  the  Son  of  God  :  very  God  of  very  God.  Here 
let  faith  fix  and  conscience  be  satisfied:  not  only  the  blood  of  the 
Son  of  the  Virgin,  but  it  is  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God.  Neither 
the  greatness  nor  the  number  of  sins  can  remain  in  their  guilt,  nor 
expose  any  sinner  to  Avrath  who  believes  in  the  Sbn  of  God;  no 
guilt  so  great  but  it  can  cleanse  ;  no  stain  so  deep  but  it  can  purge. 
Unbelief  shuts  this  blood  out  of  the  conscience.  By  faith  we  receive 
its  cleansing  virtue  and  peaceful  effects  on  our  souls. 

Thy  blood  alone,  Jehovah  Man,  Come,  let  us  sing,  adore  and  praise. 

Doth  cleanse  our  souls  from  guilt  of  sin.  Ye  sinners  who  are  foul  as. me, 
This  precious  truth  we'd  ever  scan,       The  dying  love,  the  precious  grace. 
For  peace  and  love  and  joy  within.        Of  Jesu's  suff'rings  on  the  tree,     M. 


268  SEPTEMBER  22, 

If  yc  do  these  things,  ye  shall  nevei^fall...'2  Pet.  i.  10. 

What  things?  Add  to  your  faith  every  christian  grace  and 
good  work.  If  ye  live  in  the  exercise  of  grace  and  the  discharge  of 
duty,  ye  shall  never  fall.  But  it  is  here  plainly  implied,  if  ye  do  not 
these  things  ye  certainly  -will  fall.  How  fall  ?  Into  all  manner  of 
sin  ;  yea,  and  into  hell  too,  if  the  Lord  Christ  keep  you  not.  But 
he  most  assuredly  will  keep  all  his  sheep  from  thus  falling;  for  he 
has  said,  they  shall  never  perish  ;  I  give  unto  them  eternal  life. 
But  what  evidence  can  any  one  have  that  he  is  Christ's  sheep,  if  he 
do  not  hear  his  voice  and  obey  his  word  !  My  dear  fellow  sinner, 
deceive  not  thy  OAvn  soul :  beware  of  corrupt  notions  and  unscriptu- 
ral  ideas:  it  is  most  true,  salvation  is  sure  ;  every  one  who  believes 
in  Christ  shall  most  assuredly  be  saved  ;  but,  there  is  as  sui-ely  such 
a  thing  as  living  and  walking  close  with  Christ,  cleaving  to  him  with 
purpose  of  heart,  cheerfully  obeying  him  in  love,  and  studying  to 
glorify  him  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness  :  and  there  is  such  a 
thing  also  as  falling  away  from  this  lively  exercise  of  grace,  sted- 
fastness  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  warm  love  to  Christ.  Hence, 
great  dishonor  is  brought  upon  the  Lord,  great  grief  to  bis  dear 
disciples,  and  great  darkness  and  distress  upon  the  souls  of  such 
professors.  Is  it  not  to  be  dreaded  to  have  Christ  withdraw  him- 
self? To  have  guilt,  and  fear  and  terror  let  loose  upon  thy  con- 
science, v.hile  the  enenny  is  saying,  where  is  now  thy  God,  thy  Sa- 
viour, thy  salvation  ?  Peter  thus  fell:  David  thus  fell :  saints  in  all 
ages  have  thus  fell.  They  have  told  us,  and  the  sinner  who  writes 
these  words,  can  tell  thee  somewhat  of  the  gall  and  wormwood  of 
this  falling.  Are  you  ready  to  say,  this  is  very  legal  and  very  ter- 
rifying? Not  legal;  for  this  text  is  an  evangelical  exhortation: 
much  of  the  preciousness  of  gospel  salvation  lies  in  it :  it  is  a  means 
to  keep  from  falling:  it  is  a  spur  to  final  perseverance.  As  to  ter- 
ror ;  take  warning  by  the  assertion  and  thou  hast  nothing  to  dread 
from  the  consequence.  Absolute  declarations  of  salvation  are  to 
strengthen  the  faith  and  comfort  the  hearts  of  God's  people.  Pre- 
cious promises  support  them.  Suitable  exhortations  quicken  their 
diligence.  Assertions  of  their  danger  of  falling,  are  to  convince 
them  of  their  weakness,  excite  their  cry  unto  the  Lord,  and  cause 
them  to  walk  close  with  him,  "  who  is  able  to  keep  them  from  fall- 
ing, and  to  present  them  faultless  before  the  presence  of  his  glory, 
■with  exceeding  joy."....Judc,  24. 

In  Christ  I  stand,  by  faith  I  work,  Freth  tinction  from  thyself,  dear  Lord, 

From  Christ  1  ne'er  can  fall :  Pour  out  upon  my  heart : 

But  if  I'm  careless  in  my  walk,  M^ke  me  take  heed  unto  thy  word, 

I'm  sure  to  get  in  thrall.  l^st  conscience  feels  the  smart.    M. 


SEPTEMBER  23.  269 

Jesus  said,  icJiat  manner  of  comimmications  are  these 
that  ye  have  one  to  another ^  as  ye  zcalk  and  are  sad^ 
Luke  xxiv.  17. 
Time  is  tl^.e  best  physic  for  most  diseases,  whether  of  body  or 
mind.  A  present  ho\ir  may  cause  sadness,  the  next  may  bring  joy. 
This  is  a  living  comfott  in  saddest  seasons,  Christ  knows  both  our 
Borrows,  and  the  ca;use  of  them:  he  is  always  near  to  us,  thoug;h 
we  see  him  nrtt :  his  sympathizing^  spirit  manifests  itself  in  this 
question.  Observe,  1st,  Here  were  two  disciples  communing;  to- 
gether and  rtniftonino;  with  one  another :  this  is  right.  It  is  pleas- 
ing to  our  Lord,  to  see  his  dear  members  converse  with  and  strive 
to  edify  each  other  in  che  faith  of  him,  and  that  they  bear  each  others 
burdens.  For,  2d.  Jesus  joined  company  with  them.  Disciple, 
how  often  have  you  found  it  so  ?  Christ  delights  in  the  fellowship  of 
his  saints  :  "How  can  one  be  warm  alone  i'"....Ecclcs.  iv.  11.  3d. 
Christ  enquires  of  their  conversation  and  the  cause  of  their  sadness. 
Disciples  of  Christ  have  their  sad  seasons:  it  is  good  that  they 
should  converse  freely  with  one  another  about  them.  But  whence 
do  they  spring  ?  Chiefly  ficm  unbelief.  These  poor  souls  were  sad. 
Why?  They  did  not  believe  their  Lord  was  risen.  But,  ah  1  there 
\vas  another  reason  for  sadness  ;  they  had  basely  forsaken  and  cow- 
ardly deserted  him :  this  also  arose  from  the  same  cause,  unbelief. 
Well,  notwithstanding  all  tlds,  O,  the  free  grace  of  Christ!  4th. 
He  follows  them,  though  they  forsook  him :  he  owns  them,  though 
they  denied  him ;  he  cares  for  them,  though  they  shewed  no  care  for 
him  ;  he  comes  to  comfort  them,  though  they  had  grieved  him. 
Says  the  prince  of  peace,  "  Why  are  ye  sad  ?"  Then  they  opened 
their  minds  to  him  ;  they  told  him  of  the  ray  of  hope  and  the  gleam 
of  confidence  which  they  possessed  :  we  trusted,  See.  But  delays 
begot  doubt.  This  is  the  third  day,  &c....Luke  xxiv.  21.  What  was 
the  consequence.  1st.  Christ  chides  them  for  their  unbelief?  2d. 
Expounds  the  scriptures  to  them.  3d.  Causes  their  hearts  to  burn 
within  them.  O  christians,  though  you  are  perplexed  in  your  mind, 
vralk  and  are  sad,  yet  forsake  not  the  assembling  of  yourselves  to- 
gether;  expect  and  pray  for  your  Lord's  presence:  this,  like  the 
rising  sun,  will  scatter  the  clouds  of  doubt,  fear  and  sadness,  which 
hang  over  your  minds.  Remember,  with  the  confidence  of  faith  and 
the  joy  of  hope,  your  Lord's  precious  promise,  "  Where  two  or 
three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of 
them. "....Matt,  xviii.  20. 

O  Jesu,  in  my  saddest  hours,    ■  When  lost  to  God  and  dead  in  $in, 
Help  me  to  look  to  thee  ;         "  Thy  lore  sought  after  me; 

And  call  up  ail  my  thinking  pow'rs,  Tho'  sav'd,  I've  flesh  and  sin  within. 
Of  what  thou  art  to  me.  My  comforti'  all  in  thee.  M. 


270  SEPTEMBER  24. 

There  icas  given  to  me  a  thorn  in  thejiesh,  the  messenger 
of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  lest  I  should  be  exalted  above 
measure.  ...'2  Cor.  xii.  7; 

I  dearly  love  Paul's  experience  ;  for  there  is  so  much  of  the 
artless  simplicity  of  the  poor  humble  sinner,  such  a  dread  of  self- 
gloryins^,  while  it  ever  exalts  the  rich  grace  of  the  dear  Saviour. 
Let  us  make  a  few  remarks  on  it,  and  pray  our  dear  Lord  to  bless 
them.  1st.  Here  is  a  painful  experience,  a  thorn  in  his  flesh. 
What  vv^as  that  ?  Some  say  the  cholic,  others  the  ear-ach,  others 
the  head-ach,  C-cc.  If  it  was  a  bodily  pain,  we  may  as  well  guesa 
the  gout  in  his  groat  toe.  Rut  would  Paul  have  made  such  ado,  to 
have  a  bodily  pain  removed?  Would  a  bodily  pain  prevent  soul  ex- 
alting? Surely  it  r/as  something  more:  it  was  the  heart-ach  :  he 
plainly  tells  us,  it  was  "the  messenger  of  satan  to  buffet  him." 
"His  very  soul  vvc'ts  liarrassed  and  sore  distressed  by  some  violent  temp- 
tation, injection,  or  Ruggestion  from  the  devil  ;  either  concerning 
his  own  state,  or  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  This  was  teazing,  pain- 
ful, and  tormenting  to  him,  as  a  thorn  in  the  flesh:  this  brought  him 
to  a  proper  feeling  of  himself,  after  his  abundant  revelations.  He 
found  that  he  was  the  subject  of  corruptions  like  another  sinner: 
he  had  the  irksome  feelings  of  the  "flesh,  in  which,  he  says,  dwelli 
no  good  thing.".... Rom.  vii.  18.  He  could  not  say  as  his  Lord, 
"  satan  cometh  and  hath  nothing  in  me.".. ..John  xiv.  30.  For  he 
found  in  Paul  an  evil  and  corrupt  nature  to  work  upon  ;  therefore 
he  biiffetted  him  from  day  to  day.  If  you  experience  somewhat  of 
this,  be  not  dejected ;  call  not  your  state  in  question ;  resist  satan, 
and  cry  to  your  Lord.  For  know,  with  Paul,  2d.  "  It  was  given  to 
me."  The  Lord  for  wise  and  good  ends,  in  love  to  our  souls,  per- 
mits these  buffettings.  Satan  thinks  to  destroy  us,  but  the  Lord  here- 
by profits  us  ;  he  suffers  his  dearest  children,  and  holiest  saints  to 
be  vexed  by  satan  and  all  kinds  of  temptations.  To  what  end  ?  3d. 
"  Lest  I  should  be  exalted  above  measure."  Could  not  so  holy  a 
saint  as  Paul  be  favored  with  rich  experience  of  heavenly  visions, 
without  danger  of  being  puffed  up  with  pride  by  them  ?  See  hence, 
O  believer,  your  danger  :  these  pungent  feelings  bring  down  from 
our  altitudes  to  humility.  Then,  4th.  Prize  the  throne  of  grace  ; 
flee  to  your  precious  Lord  as  Paul  did  ;  lay  all  you  distress  before 
him.  5th.  Remember  the  precious  answer  he  got  from  Christ,  "  My 
grace  is  suflicient  for  thee."  As  though  he  had  said,  you  are  not  to 
live  upon  your  self-exalting  frames  and  feelings  ;  but  as  a  poor  sin- 
ner, upon  the  all-suflicient  grace  of  me,  your  precious  Saviour. 
Thus  self  Avas  laid  low  and  the  Lord  alone  exalted  in  that  day.... 
Isa.  ii.  11. 


SEPTEMBER  25.  .       nn 

For  zvheii  I  am  zveak,  then  am  I  strong.... 2  Cor.  xli.  10. 

We  have  heard  of  Paul's  revelations,  exaltint^^s,  buircttings,  and 
his  praying :  now  of  his  humbling.  He  is  brought  down  to  his 
right  place,  low  in  himself;  and  to  his  right  feelings,  weak  in  him- 
self. Hence  we  see  the  true  nature  and  blessed  end  of  christian  ex- 
perience: it  keeps  tlie  soul  from  being  puft  up  with  pride,  lest  it  fall 
into  the  condemnation  of  the  devil ;  it  sinks  it  low  in  humility,  under 
a  sense  of  weakness,  and  it  leads  it  out  of  itself  to  look  for  all  its 
strength  in  Christ.  Here  the  strength  of  faith  is  opposed  to  the 
weakness  of  sense.  When  I  am  sensibly  weak,  then  am  I  believ- 
ingly  strong:  this,  though  a  difficult  lesson,  yet  is  a  precious  one. 
1st.  Do  we  see  ourselves  weak?  Christ  is  held  forth  to  us  as  our 
strength,  and  he  calls  upon  us  to  be  strong  in  him  :  "  Trust  in  the 
Lord  for  ever,  for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength.".... 
Isa.  xxvi.  4.  But  surely,  folly  is  bound  up  in  the  heart  of  the  weak; 
for,  instead  of  obeying  and  trusting  in  him,  how  many  are  saying, 
I  am  the  weakest  of  the  weak ;  I  have  no  might,  n©  power  ?  You  are 
the  very  person  here  addressed.  You  can  get  no  strength  but  from 
the  Lord.  By  trusting  in  the  Lord,  you  will  say,  though  weak,  I 
am  strong:  I  have  everlasting  strength.  Again,  2d.  To  encourage 
to  this,  the  Lord  commands,  "  let  the  weak  say  I  am  strong.".... 
Joel  iii.  10.  Let  them  believe  it  in  their  hearts  and  confess  it  with 
their  lips.  What !  if  they  find  no  strength  in  themselves?  Yes,  it 
is  a  command  to  the  weak ;  yea,  to  the  weakest  of  the  weak.  Then 
this  exactly  suits  you  and  me.  Here  again,  3d.  "  Hast  thou  not 
known,  hast  thou  not  heard  that  the  everlasting  God,  the  Lord, 
giveth  power  to  the  faint,  and  to  them  that  have  no  might  he  en- 
creaseth  strength. "....Isa.  xl.  29.  Here  we  arc  rebuked  and  reprov- 
ed. Faint,  and  have  no  might :  this  is  our  state.  Have  you  never 
heard  nor  known  how  the  Lord  dealeth  with  such?  O  look  up  to 
him.  Though  not  sufficient  of  yourself  to  do  any  thing  as  of  your- 
self, know  your  sufficiency  is  of  the  Lord:  though  we  can  do  nothing 
of  ourselves,  yet  we  can  do  all  things  through  Christ,  who  strength- 
cneth  us.. ..Phil.  iv.  13.  How  do  we  get  strength  from  Christ?  By 
believing  his  promises,  going  to  him  in  the  faith  of  them,  pleading 
them  before  him,  and  praying  him  to  fulfil  them  in  us  :  thus  we 
put  our  cause  upon  the  strength  of  Christ's  truth  :  he  is  faithful ;  he 
cannot  deny  us  ;  he  will  say,  "  According  to  your  faith,  be  it  unto 
you."....Matt.  ix.  29. 

When  frames  are  warm,  and  comforts  Then  Jesus  sends  somehunnblingstroke 
Othen  we're  mighty  great !   [strong.      In  love,  to  mar  our  pride. 

Self  is  the  hero  of  our  sonj,  That  we  may  glory  of  his  work, 

Our  weakness  we  forget.  And  trust  in  nought  beside.      M. 


272  SEPTEMBER  26. 

Th^^n  mere  the  disciples  glad  ivheii  they  saw  the  Lord.... 
Johfi  XX.  20. 

"  Truly  the  light  is  sweet,  and  a  pleasant  thing  it  is  for  the 
eyes  to  behold  the  sun."....Eccles.  xi.  7.  But ,  O  how  much  more 
sweet  and  pleasant  lo  see  the  light  and  behold  the  glory  of  the  sun 
OF  RiGiiTEcusNEss  !  This  inspires  the  heart  with  gladness.  These 
disciples  had  lost  their  dear  Lord  and  mourned  in  darkness  for  his 
absence:  tongue  cannot  tell  their  inexpressible  joy  at  seeing  him 
again :  their  sight  was  by  the  eye  of  sense,  ours  is  by  the  eye  of 
fait"h ;  yet  our  sight  is  not  less  real  than  theirs,  and  it  brings  the 
same  gladness  to  our  hearts  also;  therefore  it  is  highly  prized  hj 
us,  for  we  can  neither  live  comfortably,  walk  holily,  nor  die  hap- 
pily, without  seeing  the  Lord  Christ.  For,  1st.  A  sight  of  Christ 
by  faith,  brings  peace  to  the  conscience.  There  is  ever  a  war  with- 
in, between  the  flesh  and  the  Spirit,  grace  and  nature,  the  old  man 
and  the  new.  The  motions  of  sin  in  our  members  are  ever  warring 
against  the  law  of  holiness  m  our  minds.  Wicked  nature  is  like  the 
troubled  sea,  which  cannot  rest ;  it  is  continually  casting  up  mire 
and  dirt:  but  the  v/Lnds  and  seas  of  corrupt  nature  obey  Christ  ;  he 
says,  peace,  be  still,  and  there  is  a  great  calm  in  the  soul;  for 
Christ  is  our  peace,  he  hath  made  our  peace  with  God  by  his  blood, 
he  makes  and  keeps  peace  in  our  souls  by  his  presence:  our  stub- 
born lusts  will  fight  and  reign,  if  Christ  be  absent  from  our  hearts. 
Therefore  we  cannot  but  be  glad  when  we  sec  the  Lord.  2d.  The 
sight  of  Christ  quells  our  doubts,  and  dispels  our  fears.  Our  poor 
hearts,  seeing  sin  and  all  manner  of  evil  dwelling  in  us,  are  ready  to 
fear  and  doubt  wht>ther  we  are  the  children  of  God,  or  hot.  But, 
O  when  we  see  Christ  by  faith,  our  consciences  are  satisfied:  our 
muuls  are  divinely  assured,  that  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  to  God  bf 
his  blood :  for  we  cry  out,  this  is  our  beloved  and  our  friend,  in 
whom  we  have  redeniption,  even  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins.  We 
believe  and  are  sure  he  is  the  Christ  of  God,  the  Saviour  of  sinners. 
3d.  The  sight  of  Christ  gives  victory  over  death,  opens  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  to  our  view,  and  gives  us  to  sec  a  smiling  God  and 
Father,  ready  to  receive  and  embrace  us.  O  most  joyful  sight  I  If 
so,  O  christian,  beware,  l)eware  of  gratifying  your  sight  with  any 
vain,  sinful  and  carnal  jjleiisures.  These  v.'ill  draw  away  your  sight 
and  take  off  the  attention  of  your  minds  from  looking  unto  Jesus, 
and  prevent  your  gladness  of  heart,  and  joy  of  soul  in  and  frora 
him  ;  "  Turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity.  "....Psalm 
cxix.  37. 

A  siffHt  of  thee,  my  Saviour  dfar,  Repeat  thy  visits  o'er  and  o'er. 

Makes  glad  my  mournliil  licart,  While  in  this  vale  I  dwell, 

Expels  my  douhts,  hrinjjs  heaven  near,  That  1  may  view  thee  ev'ry  hour. 
And  sensual  joys  depart.  Who  savd  my  soul  from  hell.     M. 


SEPTEMBER  27.  273 

I  know  that  in  me,  (that  is  in  my  flesh)  dicelleth  no  good 
thi?ig....Ro7n.  vii.  18. 

This  is  the  knowledge  -which  pufieth  not  up  ;  but  like  love  it 
edifieth  the  soul  in  deep  humility,  -while  it  excites  overflowing  grati- 
tude in  the  heart  to  Christ  for  his  righteousness  to  justify  such  vile 
sinners:  it  is  the  knowledge  of  regenerate  souls.  I  iixow  ;  not 
only  doctrinally,  in  notion  and  theory,  but  it  is  a  confinned  truth, 
by  heart-felt  experience  ;  I  know  it  from  day  to  day ;  I  have  proved 
it  again  and  again;  I  am  as  fully  assured  of  it  as  Lam  of  my  own 
existence,  "that  in  my  flesh  dwelleth  no  good  thing."  Paul's  judg- 
ment of  himself  was  confirmed  by  experience.  But,  was  not  Paul  a 
most  eminent  apostle  and  holy  saint  ?  Yes :  still  he  confesses  pub- 
licly before  God,  angels  and  men,  that  he  was  the  subject  of  a  nature 
which  is  earthly,  sensual  and  devilish.  If  no  good  thing  dwelt  in 
his  flesh,  is  it  not  implied  that  every  evil  dwelt  there?  Doubtless, 
he  would  be  so  understood.  Were  evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulte- 
ries, blasphemies,  8cc.  in  the  flesh  of  this  holy  saint?  Yes,  his 
knowledge  of  the  total  corruption  of  his  fallen  nature  agrees  with 
his  Lord's  doctrine.... Matt.  xv.  19.  He  had  been  a  murderer  and 
blasphemer  by  practice  :  then  he  was  in  a  state  of  ignorance  and 
unbelief;  but  now  he  was  regenerated,  his  state  changed,  and  his 
practice  altered,  therefore,  surely  his  flesh  could  not  be  so  bad.  Yes, 
it  was  just  the  same :  the  flesh,  the  old  man,  the  corrupt  fallen  nature 
is  and  ever  will  be  the  same  in  the  regenerate :  "  It  ever  lusts 
against  the  Spirit.".. ..Gal.  v.  17.  Why  is  this  woeful  experience  of 
Paul's  left  upon  record?  For  our  profit.  1st.  That  we  might  judge 
and  try  ours  by  it.  If  Ave  are  taught  by  the  same  Spirit,  we  shall 
have  the  same  humbling  views  of  our  flesh.  Our  flesh  is  not  worse 
than  Paul's,  nor  was  his  one  whit  better  than  ours.  If  Me  are  left  in 
nature's  pride,  we  shall  join  the  ignorant  cry  of  those  who  say,  "  all 
who  are  convinced  of  sin,  greatly  undervalue  themselves."  2d. 
Not  to  be  cast  down  with  despondency  nor  give  way  to  despairing 
thoughts,  though  we  find  every  evil  and  nothing  but  evil  in  our 
flesh;  for  this  cures  us  of  all  confidence  in  the  flesh;  this  we  are 
prone  to  ;  but  th's  opposes  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  3d.  Look  out  and 
go  entirely  out  of  yourself:  look  wholly  to  and  trust  entirely  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  and  his  righteousness,  that  though  you  have  no  confi- 
dence in  the  flesh  you  may  ever  rejoice  in  him  :  this  is  the  character 
and  conduct  of  true  believers. ...Phil.  iii.  3.  4th.  Adore  the  holy 
Spirit,  who  when  you  had  no  goodness  to  deserve  it,  no  meetness  to 
qualify  for  it,  but  all  in  you  to  oppose  it,  gave  you  a  new  birth  into 
Christ  in  whom  you  have  every  spiritual  good.  Therefore,  walk  in 
the  Spirit,  and  ye  shall  not  fulfil  the  lust  of  the  flesh."... .Gal.  v.  1&. 
Vol.  II.  L  1 


274  SEPTEMBER  28. 

If  Christ  be  in  you,  the  body  is  dead  because  of  sin,  but  the 
spirit  is  life  because  of  righteousness. ...Rom.  viii.  10. 

Paul  was  an  experimental  teacher:  he  applies  himself  to  the 
heart;  he  appeals  to  the  conscience ;  he  aims  to  quicken  and  ani- 
mate the  soul  and  to  draw  out  the  affections  to  Christ,  from  what 
it  had  inwardly  experienced  of  the  grace  of  Christ.  O  christians, 
let  this  be  your  study  when  you  meet  and  talk  together  :  yea,  often 
doas  David  did;  converse  freely  with  your  own  soul.  If  Christ 
BE  IN  YOU  ;  that  is,  dwells  in  your  hean  by  faith  ;  if  you  have  an 
inward  approbation  of  him,  delight  in  him,  and  love  to  him  in  your 
heart;  if  you  believe  in  him  as  the  Son  of  God,  anointed  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  be  the  only  Redeemer,  justifier,  and  Saviour  of 
perishing  sinners.. ..what  then  ?  I  will  tell  you,  says  Paul,  what  will 
be  the  experience  of  your  heart.  1st.  "The  body  is  dead  because 
of  sin."  You  will  find  and  groan  under  the  weight  of  a  dead  body, 
when  in  your  most  solemn  duties  ;  yea,  and  in  your  best  frames  too, 
you  will  find  its  deadness  and  feel  its  pressure  :  so  that,  as  one  says, 
u  christian  is  often  Aveary  in,  though  never  weary  of  serving  God. 
Because  of  sin  the  body  is  dead  to  all  spiritual  delights:  it  has  no 
relish  but  for  carnal  joys  and  earthly  pleasures  :  it  is  under  the  sen- 
tence  of  the  law  to  death  because  of  sin.  No  good  thing  dwells  in 
the  flesh  :  expect  none  from  it :  be  content  to  leave  it  dead  to  spi- 
ritual purposes,  as  you  found  it :  don't  gratify  but  mortify  it :  be  not 
discouraged  under  this  irksome  sense  and  feeling.  Rejoice:  it  is 
from' experience,  2d.  That,  "  the  Spirit  is  life  because  of  righteous- 
ness." Sin,  and  the  loss  of  righteousness  brought  death  upon  body 
and  soul:  a  sinless  man,  with  perfect  righteousness,  restores  life  to 
the  soul.  Some  talk  of  their  own  righteousness  and  the  work  of 
the  Spirit  upon  the  soul,  and  yet  deny  the  obedience  and  righteous- 
ness of  Christ's  life  fok  us  :  this  is  contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  gos- 
pel. We  find  our  souls  alive  to  God,  Ave  own  it  is  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  because  of  the  righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God:  therefore 
we  live  by  his  righteousness,  live  upon  him,  and  live  to  him,  who 
wrought  it  out  for  us  :  this  is  tiie  life  of  the  soul,  the  life  of  faith. 
O  what  a  special  mercy  for  the  soul  to  be  alive  to  God  !  O  what  joy, 
under  a  sense  of  all  deadness,  dejection,  short  comings,  imperfec- 
tions, 8cc.  to  have  the  perfectly  glorious  righteousness  of  Christ  to 
plead  before  God!  For  though  wc  arc  not  righteous  in  ourselves, 
yet,  '♦  Clirist  of  God  is  made  unto  us  righteousness."....!  Cor.  i.  30. 

What  the'  we  find  the  body  dead,  Christ  in  us  lives  by  precions  faith, 
Under  the  curse  of  law :  The  life  of  ev'ry  grace  : 

We're  righteous  in  our  living  head.  We  feast  with  joy  on  what  he  saith. 
From  hence  we  comforts  draw.  We  soon  shall  see  his  face.  M. 


SEPTEMBER  39.  srs 

We  are  perplexed,  but  not  hi  despair.... 1  Cor.  iv.  8. 

God's  dear  children  have  not  all  the  same  clear  judgment  of 
truth ;  they  are  not  all  of  one  mind  and  the  same  sentiment  in  all 
points  :  yet  they  all  have  one  Lord,  one  faith,  and  one  hope  ;  and, 
there  is  a  uniformity  in  their  experience,  in  regard  to  the  exceeding 
sinfulness  of  sin,  the  depravity  of  their  nature,  their  perplexities 
from  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  their  love  of  the  scriptures, 
and  the  exceeding  preciousness  of  Christ  :  this  proves  that  they  are 
taught  by  one  and  the  same  Spirit.  We  have  perplexities  of  a  spi- 
ritual nature,  beside  those  in  common  with  others,  which  natural  men 
are  utter  strangers  to :  these  arc  no  weak  evidences  of  our  spi- 
ritual birth.  To  be  perplexed  M'ith  a  body  of  sin  an;l  death,  with  a 
sense  of  unbelief,  with  deadncss,  formality,  wanderings  in  spiritual 
duties,  with  satan's  temptations,  injections,  accusations,  corrupt 
reasonings,  and  carnal  pleadings  ;  the  feeling  all  these  makes  it 
manifest,  that  the  soul  is  born  of  God  and  alive  to  God  ;  for  when 
dead  in  sin  we  felt  nothing  of  them.  How  exceeding  absurd  and 
foolish  then  do  many  act?  Because  thus  perplexed,  O  they  are  ready 
to  give  up  hope,  cast  away  confidence,  and  deny  they  are  God's 
children  ;  but  their  sense  of  these  things,  and  groaning  under  them, 
are  evident  tokens  of  salvation  :  "  Perplexed,  but  not  in  despair  :" 
O  take  heed  of  giving  the  least  way  to  despair  :  of  desponding:  of 
letting  go  your  confidence  in  Christ :  of  giving  up  for  one  moment, 
the  least  degree  of  hope  in  Christ.  For,  consider  the  evil  of  this. 
Ist.  You  hereby  slight  the  everlasting  love  of  God  the  Father  x6  sin- 
ners. 2d.  You  dishonor  the  work  and  salvation  of  the  Son  of  God 
for  sinners.  3d.  You  grieve  the  holy  Spirit,  "the  comforter  of  sin- 
ners. 4th.  You  disregard  the  gospel  of  grace,  glad  tidings  to  sin- 
ners; and  set  at  nought  all  God's  precious  promises  in  Christ  unto 
sinners.  5th.  You  give  the  enemy  all  possible  advantage  over  you. 
He  stands  and  cries,  "  There,  there,  so  would  I  have  it."  6th. 
You  give  sin  all  its  strength  against  you.  7th.  You  perplex,  distress, 
and  darken  your  own  soul,  whereby  you  are  hindred  from  running 
the  way  of  God's  commands  with  love  and  delight.  A  thousand 
evils  are  connected  with  indulging  despondence  :  away  then  with  all 
false  humility;  it  is  devilish.  Hold  fast  this  faithful  saying,  for  it 
is  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  at  all  times,  under  all  circumstances, 
"  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners."....  1  Tim.  i.  15. 
Till  the  devil  can  blot  that  truth  out  of  God's  word,  or  make  you 
any  thing  worse  than  a  sinner  ;  you,  as  a  quickened  sinner  have  the 
same  reason  as  Paul,  or  any  other  apostle,  to  say,  "  I  am  always 
coi«riDENT."....2  Cor.  v.  6. 


276  SEPTEMBER  30. 

I  am  like  a  green  fr-tree :  from  me  is  tJii)  fruit  found.... 
Hos.  xiv.  8. 

Here  is  a  sweet  dialogue,  between  the  Lord  and  Ephraim, 
which  signifies  growing.  The  Lord  had  just  before  said,  "  I  will  be 
as  dew  unto  my  people."  See  the  effects  of  this  grace.  Ephraim 
says,  "  What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?"  Now  I  find  my 
Lord,  and  my  love  in  my  heart,  get  hence  ye  cursed  idols,  my  vile 
lusts  ;  and  that  vain  idol,  the  work  of  my  hands,  my  own  righteous- 
ness. I  abhor  the  former  :  I  trample  on  the  latter :  I  bemoan  my 
folly  in  taking  up  with  them  so  long.  The  Lord  graciously  answers, 
"  I  have  heard  him  :"  his  moans  and  complaints  :  "  and  observed 
him,"  with  complacency  and  delight  returning  to  me.  O  ever  gra- 
cious, long-suffering,  loving  friend  of  sinners  !  "  I  am  like  a  green 
fir-tree."  Who  says  this?  Commentators  say,  Christ :  but  I  would 
rather  humbly  presume,  than  boldly  assert,  that  they  are  the  words 
of  the  believer  ;  for  thus  the  dialogue  is  kept  up.  Naturalists  say, 
the  fir-tree  is  of  itself  unfruitful.  If  so,  we  may  suppose  the  belie- 
ver saying  to  his  Lord,  I  find  my  soul  is  alive;  I  do  grow;  I  am  a 
tree  of  righteousness  of  thy  planting,  that  thou  mayest  be  glorified. 
....Isa.  Ixi.  3.  But,  "  I  am  like  a  green  fir-tree."  I  bear  leaves;  I 
can  bring  forth  no  fruit  of  myself ;  I  long  to  be  fruitful  to  your  glory- 
To  which  Christ  replies,  "  From  ?ie  is  thy  fruit  found."  O,  we  can 
never  be  too  often  reminded  of  this  !  For  it  beats  down  pride :  it 
keeps  us  humble  before,  dependant  on,  and  grateful  to  our  dear 
Lord.  1st.  Christ  hath  brought  forth  all  rich  fruit  to  us,  to  com- 
fort us  :  adoption  to  enoble  us:  righteousness  to  justify  us  :  blood 
to  cleanse  us  :  holiness  to  sanctify  us :  and  heaven  to  glorify  us.  2d. 
All  the  graces  of  the  Spirit  in  us:  faith  to  come  to  and  abide  in  him  : 
love  to  d(jlight  our  souls  in  him  :  hope  to  expect  all  from  him.  Sec. 
3d.  All  our  fruits  of  righteousness  are  from  him.  Being  married 
to  him  we  bring  forth  fruit  unto  God....Rom.  vii.  4.  All  our  fruits 
of  righteousness  are  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  glory  of  God.. ..Phil, 
i.  1 1 .  O  then  it  shall  be  our  chief,  our  constant  concern,  to  keep 
our  faith  in  lively  exercise  upon  Christ,  that  we  may  have  a  clear 
sight  of  our  union  to  him  and  a  happy  sense  of  communion  with 
him.  Out  of  his  fulness  we  receive  all  supply.  Remember  this  cri- 
terion of  thy  Lord's:  O  that  it  may  quicken  our  diligence,  influence 
our  conduct,  and  animate  our  zeal  in  the  ways  of  holiness:  "By 

THKIR   FnuiTS  YE   SHALL  KNOW   THEM. ".... Matt.  vii.  20. 

All  my  salvation  is  in  Christ;  Hence  I  l)y  faith  on^hrist  will  live. 
From  liim  are  all  my  fruits  :  That  Christ  may  live  in  me  : 

All  other  notions  1  resist :  So  ev'ry  grace  shall  spring  and  thrive, 
This  barren  nature  suits.  And  I  not  barren  be,  M. 


OCTOBER  1.  271 

Christ  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  zve  are,  yet  with- 
out sin....Heh.  iv.  15. 

O,  SAYS  a  soul  in  heaTiness  through  manifold  temptations, 
surely  no  one  was  ever  tempted  and  tried  like  me  !  Paul  answers  to 
the  contrary  :  "  There  hath  no  temptation  taken  you,  but  such  as  is 
common  to  man."....l  Cor.  x.  13.  Is  this  any  relief  and  support  to 
you?  If  not,  consider  the  text.  1st.  Temptation  was  common  to 
Christ,  as  man  :  he  was  tempted  in  all  points  like  as  we  are.  View 
him  beset  by  satan  :  see  the  hellish  arts  he  practised  upon  him :  he 
tempted  him  to  the  lust  of  the  eye,  to  self-murder,  to  idolatry,  to 
distrust  God,  to  tempt  God,  yea,  in  all  points,  like  as  we  are. 
You  cannot  feel  a  trial  or  temptation,  but  what  Christ  felt  before 
you.  Though  he  had  no  sin  in  his  nature  for  satan  to  work  upon, 
yet  he  doubtless  felt  all  the  assaults  which  the  power  and  malice  of 
hell  could  attack  him  with,  yet  M'ithout  sin:  therefore,  temptations 
are  not  sins.  2d.  Though  as  God,  Christ  knew  all  things  intui- 
tively, yet  he  could  only  as  man  have  a  feeling,  experimental  sense 
of  the  nature  and  power  of  temptations.  3d.  This  is  very  comforta- 
ble to  his  tried,  tempted  members;  for  he  is  "touched  with  a 
feeling  of  our  infirmities."  "  Being  tempted  himself,  he  is  able  to 
succour  them  who  are  tempted.".. ..Ileb.  ii.  18.  O  think  of  this  un- 
der all  your  temptations  and  trials.  What !  did  Christ  feel  all  that 
I  feel  before  me  and  for  me  ?  Had  he  the  most  quick  sense  and  pun- 
gent feelings  of  temptation  ?  And  was  all  to  this  end,  that  he  might 
be  able  to  succoiir  me?  Think,  O  my  soul,  thy  crowned  head  in 
glory  feels  for  all  his  tempted  members  on  earth.  Consider  Jesus, 
once  a  MAN  as  thou  art,  and  now,  as  seeing  thy  poor,  panting  heart 
and  labouring  breast,  bowed  down  with  one  temptation  and  another. 
Methinks  one  hears  him  say,  thus  it  was  with  me  when  in  the  flesh: 
my  heart  yearns,  my  bowels  move  with  tender  compassion  to  that 
my  brother  in  flesh:  I  am  touched  with  a  tender  sympathy  for  him. 
Is  it  so?  Then  do  not  keep  the  devil's  secrets.  Does  he  tempt  thee 
from  day  to  day  with  some  vile,  filthy,  cursed  lust?  Go  and  lay  all 
in  thine  heart  open  to  thy  Lord :  be  neither  afraid  nor  ashamed : 
Christ  knows  what  sore  temptations  mean,  for  he  has  felt  the  same: 
confess  the  vile,  abominable,  hellish  lusts  and  corruptions  of  thy  na- 
ture. Remember,  ever  remember,  Christ's  blood  is  the  fountain 
opened  for  sin,  and  uncleanness....Zech.  xiii.  1. 

Temptations  black  beset  my  soul,  My  soul,  be  not  dismay'd  at  this. 

And  often  make  me  start :  Thy  Lord  did  feel  the  same  : 

How  can  this  be,  if  grace  controul,  Satan  doth  strive  to  mar  thy  peace, 

That  I  should  feel  such  smart  ?  But  Christ  has  conquer'd  him.      M. 


^78  OCTOBER  2. 

He  loist  not  that  the  Lord  zvas  departed  from  him..., 
Judg.  xvi.  20. 

What  do  I  read?  Samson's  name  enrolled  in  the  list  of  the 
ancient  heroes  of  faith  ?....Heb.  xi.  32.  What !  he  who  loved  a  harlot 
and  was  so  blinded  by  his  lust  as  to  bring  on  himself  the  most 
dreadful  evils,  even  unto  his  death?  Yes.  Grace  reigned  then:  it 
reigns  still,  through  the  righteousness  of  Christ  unto  sinners.  Whatl 
that  they  should  continue  in  sin,  because  grace  abounds  ?  God  for- 
forbid !  See  the  most  awful  evils  it  brought  upon  this  man  of  God : 
behold  in  him  how  sin  blinds  the  eyes,  hardens  the  heart,  and  stupi- 
fies  the  conscience :  think  of  this  and  tremble  at  the  first  approach 
of  sin  and  lust.  Isi.  Samson's  lust  to  a  vile  strumpet  had  so 
blinded  his  reasdn  that  he  put  his  life  in  her  hands  three  times;  yet 
he  could  not  see  that  she  had  no  regard  for  him,  but  wanted  to  de- 
stroy him.  Here  is  a  judgment  upon  his  lust :  the  Philistines  put 
out  his  eyes.  2d.  As  he  was  fettered  by  his  sin,  a  slave  to  his  lusts, 
and  did  the  devil's  drudgery;  the  Philistines  fettered  him,  put  him 
into  the  prison-house,  and  made  him  grind  there.  3d.  The  Lord, 
who  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  sin,  added  this  judgment  to  the- 
others,  he  departed  from  him:  but  Samson  knew  it  not.  Hence 
oliserve,  1st.  That  God  doth  not  wink  and  connive  at  sin  in  his  peo- 
ple ;  but  he  will  most  assuredly  punish  them  for  i^.  2d.  That  the 
Lord  may  depart  from  a  soul  and  he  not  be  immediately  sensible  of 
it:  but  when,  like  Samson,  he  awakes  out  of  his  sleep,  and  says, 
"I  will  go  out  as  at  other  times  before,  and  shake  myself,"  O  alas! 
he  finds  his  spiritual  power  and  strength  gone :  no  sweet  communion 
with  his  dear  Lord  as  heretofore  :  no  precious  lifts  from  his  Spirit: 
no  inward  testimonies  of  his  love  and  gentle  whispers  of  peace  to  his 
soul.  He  prays,  but  it  is  with  the  lips  only  ;  the  power  of  prayer  is 
departe?!  from  the  heart :  he  goes  from  ordinance  to  ordinance,  but 
he  finds  not  his  Lord  in  them;  all  is  dry  formality,  dreary  and  un- 
comfortal)Ie.  But,  O  joyful!  Samson's  locks  began  to  grow  again : 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  returned  to  him  once  more  :  he  prays,  "  O 
Lord  God,  remember  me  and  strengthen  me,  that  I  may  be  avenged 
on  the  Philislines  for  my  two  eyes."  "  Lord  remember  me,"  was 
the  tliief 's  prayer  on  the  cross.  Never  forget  the  gracious  answer. 
If  you  can  but  find  a  heart  to  pray  to  Jesus  to  be  revenged  upon  your 
cursed  lusts,  he  saith,  "  Return  ye  backsliding  children,  and  I  will 
heal  your  backslidings."....Jer.  iii.  22. 

The  Lord  still  waits  to  shew  his  grace,  'Tis  this  revives  the  dying  spark 
And  save  returning  souls  from  hell:      Of  hope,  in  a  poor  siHner's  breast, 

Tho*  we  oflend  liim  to  his  face,  Turns  him  from  sin's  most  cursed  work 

God's  love  in  Christ's  immutable.  To  Jesus,  for  his  promis'd  rest.    M. 


OCTOBER  3.  279 

Behold  I  have  erred  exceedingly.... \  Sam.  xxvi.  21. 

I  HAVE  selected  this  text  for  a  peculiar  purpose.... At  the  close 
of  the  meditation  shall  assign  the  reason.  In  this  chapter  \ve  have 
an  account  of  the  heroic  act  of  David's  f^ilh  in  the  l-ord,  his  invin- 
cible courage,  and  his  amazing  tenderness  towards  Saul  his  enraged 
enemy,  by  which  he  melted  his  heart  and  overcame  his  cruel  wruth. 
Let  us  view  his  conduct,  and  pray  for  grace  to  improve  from  it.  1st. 
View  his  faith.  Here  was  Saul,  with  three  thousand  chosen  men, 
in  pursuit  of  David,  thirsting  for  his  blood :  they  were  at  a  very 
small  distance  from  him.  Behold,  David  proposes  to  go  to  Saul's 
camp  in  the  dead  of  the  night,  and  asks,  "  Who  will  go  down  with 
me  ?"  Does  not  this  seem  to  the  eye  of  carnal  reason  to  be  a  most 
rash  and  dangerous  attempt?  Though  it  were  at  midnight,  though 
they  might  be  fallen  into  a  dead  sleep,  yet  out  of  such  a  number  of 
men,  one  or  more  might  awake  and  seize  on  David.  Surely,  it;  was 
going  into  the  very  jaws  of  death  ;  but  David's  f:iith  surmounted  his 
fears:  his  trust  in  his  God  got  the  better  of  his  cainal  suggestions. 
O  precious  gift  of  precious  faith  !  Precious  Lord,  increase  it  in  our 
souls.  Abishai  consents  to  go  with  him  ;  they  pass  the  king's  life- 
guards ;  come  into  Saul's  camp  :  for  behold,  they  were  all  like  dead 
men.  David  and  Abishai  converse  together  :  not  a  man  hears  or 
stirs.  Why  was  this?  How  can  we  account  for  it ?  Why?  "because 
a  deep  sleep  from  the  Lord  was  fallen  upon  them."  O,  my  soul, 
learn  courage  frdm  hence.  When  Giant  Despair  attempted  to  pur- 
sue the  pilgrims,  he  was  seized  with  his  fits.  All  thy  enemies  are 
under  thy  Lord's  power;  he  can  cast  all  into  a  deep  sltep  or  into  the 
long  sleep  of  death ;  and  he  will,  sooner  than  thou  shall  perish  by 
them.     Up  faith. ...down  sense. ...away  with  all  carnal  reasonings  : 

March  on,  nor  fear  to  win  the  day, 

Tho'  death  and  hell  obstruct  the  way. 
Now,  2d.  See  how  David's  faith  wrought  by  his  works.  When 
they  got  safe  into  the  camp,  Saul  lay  sleeping,  and  his  spear  stuck 
into  the  ground  at  his  head  :  now  for  a  strong  temptation.  Abishai 
said  to  David,  "  God  hath  delivered  thine  enemy  into  thy  hand  this 
day  ;  let  me  smite  him,  I  pray  thee,  with  this  spear  to  the  earth  at 
once,  I  will  not  smite  him  a  second  time."  See  this  specious  rea- 
soning. 1st.  He  begins  with  God,  who  had  delivered  Saul  into  Da- 
vid's hands.  2d.  Here  was  a  fair  opportunity  to  revenge  himself  of 
his  cruel  enemy  and  put  an  end  to  his  troubles.  And,  od.  He 
promises  to  do  it  effectually,  at  a  stroke.  Now,  who  but  a  man 
after  God's  own  heart  could  have  withstood  this  ?  But  David  had  a. 
bettej  way  to  kill  his  rage  and  save  his  life.     Here  see  an  heroic  act 

of 


280  OCTOBER  3. 

of  faith  working  by  love  and  producing  an  unshaken  obedience  to 
God  :  he  durst  not  stretch  forth  his  hand  against  the  Lord's  anointed^ 
See  how  conspicuous  the  grace  of  God  shines  in  this  Old-Testament 
saint.  O  blush  ye,  who  make  David's  faith  as  nothing  compared 
to  the  faith  of  a  christian  !  od.  See  the  eflects  of  David's  conduct : 
he  carried  away  Saul's  spear  and  cruse  from  under  his  head,  and  up- 
braids the  captain  of  his  host  for  not  watching  over  his  royal  mas- 
ter. Saul  hears  of  the  affair,  and  cries  out,  "  Is  this  thy  voice,  my 
-son  David?"  Struck  with  David's  fine  reasoning;  melted  down  at 
his  noble,  generous  conduct  ;  and  doubtless  recollecting  this  was 
the  second  time  his  life  was  in  David's  hands,  when  he  cuts  off  the 
skirts  of  his  robe  in  the  cave....  1  Sam.  xxiv.  4....Saul  replies,  "  Be- 
hold, I  have  played  the  fool,  and  erred  exceedingly." 

O  see  hence,  that  faith  works  by  love  and  patience  :  this  will 
overcome,  Avhen  wrath  and  resentment  only  add  fuel  to  an  enemy's 
rage.  May  we  not  all  take  up  Saul's  confession  and  say,  in  many 
instances,  "  I  have  erred  exceedingly  ?"  It  shall  begin  at  my  door. 
I  will  confess,  (the  Lord  of  love  and  patience  pardon  me)  I  have  erred 
exceedingly,  in  contending  for  the  truth  with  too  much  of  the  lire 
of  nature's  passions  instead  of  that  holy  zeal  which  is  accompanied 
with  love.  Those  I  have  offended,  I  pray  them  to  forgive,  and  hum- 
bly intreat  their  prayers  for  me  a  poor  sinner.  O  for  a  warm  zeal 
tempered  with  the  fire  of  love  !  This  is  the  likeliest  means  to  cause 
"  them  who  err  in  spirit,  to  come  to  understanding,  and  they  who 
murmur,  to  learn  doctrine. "....Isa.  xxix.  24.  But  this  is  not  the  pe- 
culiar reason  of  my  choice  of  this  text.  But  the  printer  of  the  for- 
mer edition  confessed  he  had  erred,  in  printing  the  pages  wrong, 
which  obliged  me  to  write  a  meditation  on  two  pages.  The  next 
page  should  have  been  279,  for  which  the  reader's  excuse  is  humbly 
entreated. 

In  that  xxixth  of  Isaiah,  verse  19,  it  is  said,  "  The  meek  shall 
increase  their  joy  in  the  Lord."  O  my  soul  !  "  The  joy  of  the  I^ord 
is  thy  strength.".... Nehem.  viii.  10.  Beware  then  of  every  work 
which  may  interrupt  thy  holy,  humble,  spiritual  joy  in  the  God  of 
thy  salvation.  To  joy  in  thy  Lord  always,  is  comnianded....Phil. 
iv.  4.  Ever  remember,  it  is  connected  with  meekness  ;  and  the 
meek  increase  their  joy.  Seest  thou  those  who  err  in  spirit  and 
murmur  against  the  doctrines  of  grace  ?  Take  Paul's  advice,  "  In 
meekness  instructing  those,"  Sec... .2  Tim.  ii.  25. 

Lord  save  me  from  my  daily  faults,  Let  meekness  in  my  soul  prevail, 

I'm  daily  prone  to  err :  And  nature's  fire  subdu«  : 

Keep  me  from  anger's  fierce  assaults,  Tho'  in  myself  I'm  weak  and  frail, 

By  holy,  loving  fear.  Thro'  Christ  I  all  can  do.          M. 


OCTOBER  4.  281 

Is  not  my  tvord  like  as  afire?    saith  the  Lord...Jer, 
xxiii.  29. 

How  comforting  this  reflection  ?  "We,  who  were  sometimei 
afar  off,  are  now  made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ."... . Eph.  ii.  13. 
How  happy  is  the  soul  when  it  finds  nearness  of  access  to  God  and 
enjoys  sweet  converse  with  him?  Then,  with  Jeremiah  it  says,  "  let 
me  talk  with  thee,  O  Lord."....Jer.  xii.  1.  Then  the  Lord  conde- 
scends to  hear  and  reply.  As  here,  the  Lord  appeals  to  the  soul's 
experience  ;  and  asks,  what  effect  has  my  word  had  on  thine  heart: 
Is  it  not  like  fire?  Let  us  consider  this,  that  the  word  of  the  Lord 
may  be  glorified  by  us  to-night.  1st.  It  is  the  property  of  fire  to 
communicate  light  :  so  doth  the  word  ;  "  The  entrance  of  thy  word 
giveth  light.".. ..Psalm  cxix.  130.  When  we  were  darkness  itself, 
how  did  the  word  enter  and  shine  into  our  hearts,  and  give  us  the 
knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ?  In  sea- 
sons of  darkness,  how  often  has  the  word  brought  light  into  our 
souls?  "Thy  word  is  a  light  to  my  path. "....Psalm  cxix.  105.  2d. 
Fire  gives  heat.  How  often  has  the  Lord  warmed  our  cold  hearts 
and  melted  down  our  hard  hearts  with  the  fire  of  his  word  of  love  and 
^race?  "  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love,  therefore  with 
loving  kindness  have  I  drawn  thee."....Jer.  xxxi.  3.  Say,  has  not  such 
a  word  as  this  been  in  one's  heart  as  burning  fire  shut  up  in  our  bones  ? 
....Jer.  XX.  9.  Lord,  multiply  such  burning  seasons.  3d.  Fire  con- 
suMETH,  so  doth  the  word:  when  it  burns  in  the  heart,  it  consumes 
our  cursed  lusts,  hateful  pride,  deceitful,  self-righteous  hopes,  vain 
and  worldly  desires,  legal  terrors,  and  tormenting  dread  of  death. 
Lord,  cause  this  heavenly  fire  to  burn  in  our  hearts  and  consume 
more  and  more.  For,  4th.  The  word,  like  fire,  purifies.  "  Ye 
have  purified  your  souls,  in  obeying  the  truth,  through  the  Spirit.".... 
1  Pet.  i.  22.  While  the  fire  of  the  word  burns  within,  purity  is  pre- 
served in  heart,  lip  and  life.  5th.  Fire  causeth  smoke.  No  sooner 
doth  the  word  kindle  fire  in  the  heart,  but  the  smoke  of  incense, 
of  prayer  and  praise,  ascend  up  to  the  Lord.  Christ  compares  his 
church  to  "  pillars  of  smoke, "....Song  iii.  6. ...and  his  people  to 
smoking  flax. ...Matt.  xii.  20.  For  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  like  fire 
in  their  heart ;  and  their  affections,  like  smoke,  ascend  up  unto 
him.  O  thou  great  inditer  of  the  word  1  Cause  the  word  of  Christ 
to  dwell  in  us  richly  in  all  wisdom,  that  we  may  continue  in  his 
word,  that  it  may  be  manifest  that  we  are  his  disciples  indeed.... 
John  viii.  31. 

The  Lord  appeals  unto  each  soul,  Like  fire,  it  burns  within  cur  heart, 

For  proof  of  what  he  saith :  And  doth  our  lusts  consume. 

Doth  not  his  word  our  pow'rs  controul,  And  fills  with  love  our  cv'ry  pnvr. 
When  it  is  known  by  faith?  And  doth  our  works  perfuire    M 

Vol.  II.  M  m 


C&2  OCTOBER  S-. 

Foi^asnuich  as  ye  knozv  that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in 
the  Lord.... I  Cor.  xv.  58. 

Christian  knowledge  is  the  source  of  comfort,  and  the 
spring-  of  obedience.  The  knowledge  of  God's  love  to  us  in  Christ, 
received  into  the  heart  by  faith,  animates  us  to  be,  and  to  do,  what 
the  Lord  calls  us  to  in  our  lives'.  Paul  appeals  to  christians.  Ye 
KN0w....what  ?  that  you  are  called,  not  to  loiter,  but  to  labour:  not 
to  stand  idle,  but  to  work:  not  merely  to  talk  of  the  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity, but  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  the  Lord.  But  O,  sweetest  of  all 
labouring,  working  and  walking,  it  is  the  labour  of  love,  the  work  of 
faith,  and  the  walk  of  hope  ;  and  we  have  Christ's  presence  and 
power  in  all.  We  know,  we  are  fully  persuaded,  we  are  divinely 
assured  our  labour  is  not  in  vain  ;  for  it  is  in  the  Lord.  It  is  begun 
by  his  grace,  carried  ,on  by  his  power,  in  sweet  fellowship  with 
him,  IN  love  to  him,  in  dependence  on  him,  in  assurance  that  we 
are  accepted  in  him,  and  therefore  in  an  humble  hope  and  loving 
desire  to  glorify  him.  Such  a  soul  labours  lawfully :  his  labour  is  ac- 
cepted :  his  work  sliall  be  crowned  :  he  is  blessed  now  by  his  Lord  : 
he  shall  be  blessed  eternally  with  his  Lord.  The  humble  soul  draAvs 
-liack  :  the  self-abased  heart,  jealous  of  his  dear  Lord's  honor,  cries, 
*'  FoAear,  I  am  an  unprofitable  servant ;  I  have  no  merit  ;  I  come 
short  in  all  I  do ;  my  desert  is  hell  ;  I  claim  nothing  at  my  Lord's 
hand  ;  I  am  a  poor  sinner,  who  must  be  infinitely  and  eternally  in- 
<lebted  to  the  riches  of  free  grace." 

True,  O  soul,  thou  dost  not  work  like  free-will  hirelings,  for 
wages  ;  yet,  as  a  free-grace  labourer,  thou  shalt  have  a  free-grace 
reward  ;  not  of  debt,  due  to  thy  merit,  but  of  grace,  by  thy  Lord's 
free  promise  ;  not  a  crumb  of  comfort,  not  a  drop  of  cold  water 
given  in  the  name  of  Christ  to  one  of  his,  but  thy  Lord  notices 
in  love,  takes  kindly  at  thy  l^and,  and  will  never,  never  forget.  O 
matcliless  love  of  Christ !  he  gives  grace  to  miserable  sinners,  his 
grace  works  to  will  and  to  do  in  their  hearts  ;  and  he  rewards  hell- 
deserving  sinners  with  gifts  of  grace  in  time  and  with  the  riches  of 
glory  in  eternity.  O  blessed  master!  O  precious  labour  !  O  joyful 
recOmpence  of  reward  !  Say,  now,  christian,  is  not  here  all  encou- 
ragement to  diligence  and  activity  ?  O,  go  on  labouring  for  thy  Lord's 
glory  ;  large  wages  seeking  in,  not  for  thy  works.  Confidently 
mayest  thou  say,  with  Paul,  "  There  is  laid  up  for  mc  a  crown  of 
righteousness. "....2  Tim.  iv.  8. 

I  dare  not  work  my  soul  to  save,  No  workr,  of  fa'uh  can  be  in  vain. 
That  work  my  I.nrd  hath  done;  Bec;ui  .e  they're  wrought  in  love; 

Yet  I  would  work  like  any  slave,  Since  now  our  enmity  is  slain, 
From  love  to  God's  dear  Son.  We  work  for  Christ  above.       M. 


OCTOBER  6.  no- 

My  soul  fainteth  for  thy  salvation:  but  I  hope  in  thy. 
ziord.... Psalm  cxix.  81. 

David's  words  furnish  us  with  these  obsei'vations,  1st.  That  it" 
is  a  sure  evidence,  that  that  sinner  is  savingly  convinced  of  sin  by 
the  Spirit  of  God,  when  the  salvation  of  Jesus  is  the  desire  of  his 
heart.  2d.  That  the  soul,  though  destitute  of  the  joy  of  faith,  in 
the  assurance  of  interest  in  Christ's  salvation,  yet  may  have  the 
grace  of  hope  in  lively,  exercise.  Sd.  That  in  fainting  frames  of 
soul,  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  the  sure  support  of  hope.  Study  these 
points:  settle  them  in  your  hearts:  the  Lord  give  comfort  from 
them.  When  a  person  faints  the  blood  returns  to  the  heart;  it 
ceaseth  to  flow  through  the  veins :  hence  the  spirits  sink,  nature 
fails,  life  and  strength  depart,  the  eyes  see  not,  the  hands  cannot 
hold,  the  feet  cannot  walk.  Have  you  not  experienced  it  thus  with 
your  soul  ?  Have  you  not  found  things  at  a  very  low  ebb  with  you, 
just  ready  to  give  up  all  hope  and  let  all  confidence  go,  just  at  the 
last  gasp?  Seethe  actiiigs  of  a  gracious  soul.  Learn  experience  by 
David's  conduct:  he  thinks  of  his  best  friend,  his  dear  Saviour  ;. 
he  looks  up  to  him  ;  he  tells  him  what  he  faints  for,  thy  salva- 
tion :  for  fresh  knowledge  of  interest  in  it ;  for  the  joys  and  com- 
forts of  it.  What  1  When  his  sins  stared  him  in  the  face?  When 
his  conscience  was  burdened  witli  guilt  ?  When  his  spirits  failed 
him,  his  soul  fainted  within  him,  and  without  assurance  in  his  heart 
of  interest  in  Christ's  salvation  ?  Is  this  a  time  to  go  to  Clirist  ? 
Yes,  the  very  time,  the  proper  time,  the  time  of  need,  in  which 
we  are  exhorted  to  come  boldly. ...Ileb.  iv.  16.  O,  my  fainting  fel- 
low sinners!  What  a  precious  Saviour  is  Jesus  1  What  a  glorious 
salvation  hath  he  finished  for  us  !  What  a  special  mercy  that  the 
loving  Spirit  excites  desires  in  our  souls  after  the  enjoyment  of  it  ! 
Well,  though  David's  soul  faints,  yet,  says  he,  I  hope  in  thy  word. 
What,  without  faith  ?  No  :  he  had  living  faith  in  his  heart,  though 
he  fainted  for  the  joy  and  comfort  of  faith  :  he  believed  the  word  of 
grace  and  salvation,  and  he  hoped  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  promises 
of  his  Lord,  to  the  reviving  of  his  soul:  he  honors  his  Lord's  word, 
trusts  in  his  faithfulness,  and  casts  the  anchor  of  his  hope  upon  his 
truth :  go  and  do  likewise  ;  "  for  we  are  saved  by  hope.". ...Rom. 
viii.  24.  "  Which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  both  sure 
and  stedfast,  and  whicli  entereth  into  that  within  the  vail,  whithes 
Jesus  is  for  us  entered.".. ..Heh.  vi.  19,  20. 

My  spirits  sink,  my  heart  doth  faint,   On  that  I  daily  will  rely, 
Forthy  salvation,  Lord,  'Till  thou  my  soul  revive,. 

Thy  peace  bestow,  thy  presence  grant,  Thy  word  of  truth  can  never  die. 
My  hope  is  in  thy  word.  Therefore  by  faith  I  live.  M. 


284  OCTOBER  7. 

Ye  are  risen  zvifh  liim^  through  the  faith  of  the  operation 
of  God.... Coin.  12. 

Who  are  risen  with  Christ?  All  the  members  of  his  mystical 
body  :  he  is  their  head  and  representative :  they  are  all  mystically 
risen  with  him  ;  but  they  have  no  knowledge  or  comfort  of  this,  till 
another  resurrection  is  experienced  by  them :  this  is  what  the  apos- 
tle here  alludes  to  :  this  is  by  faith.  As  soon  as  any  poor  sinner 
knows,  understtmds  and  believes  that  Christ  died  for  our  offences, 
and  was  raised  again  for  our  justification,  that  soul  is  actually  risen 
with  Christ.  Here  behold,  1st.  The  preciousness  of  faith.  2d. 
Whose  operation  it  is.  3d.  The  glorious  effects  it  hath  upon  the 
heart  and  life  :  it  brings  Christ  into  the  soul.  Faith  causes  the  soul 
to  ascend  up  to  Christ.  Thus,  this  living,  powerful,  influencing 
grace,  which  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is  distinguished  from 
a  dead  faith,  a  lifeless  assent,  a  barren  notion  which  floats  in  the 
heads  of  carnal  professors.  Examine  yourselves  :  prove  and  try 
your  faith  this  night.  Is  your  faith  from  Christ  above?  Then  it 
leads  your  hearts  and  affections  from  things  below  to  Christ  above. 
Be  not  deceived  :  take  not  up  with  a  notion  of  faith  in  your  head 
instead  of  the  grace  of  faith  in  your  heart :  the  former  will  leave 
you  just  where  it  found  you,  in  your  sins,  with  the  love  of  the 
■world  reigning  in  your  heart ;  the  riches,  honors,  and  pleasures  of 
the  world  your  idols  and  your  pursuits;  and  yourself  only  a  poor, 
cold-hearted,  formal  professor.  O  how  many  of  this  soi't  abound  ! 
They  differ  from  the  rest  of  the  world  only  in  notion  and  specula- 
tion ;  in  tongue  and  doctrine.  Lord  Jesus,  forbid  that  this  should 
be  our  state  !  If  Ave  have  the  faith  of  the  operation  of  God  the  Holy 
Ghost,  our  souls  will  be  fired  with  the  love  of  Christ,  our  hearts 
will  burn  with  ardent  love  to  him,  his  truths,  his  people  and  his 
cause  :  we  shall  delight  to  live  above  with  him  and  long  to  reign 
eternally  in  his  presence  :  we  shall  consider  the  body  as  our  prison, 
overcome  the  world  as  our  enemy,  and  treat  all  things  with  contempt 
in  comparison  of  fellowship  with  our  God  and  Saviour.  If  we  are 
not  at  all  times  thus  happy,  at  least  we  shall  hunger  and  thirst  after 
it.  Risen  souls  are  earnestly  concerned  to  have  gospel-doctrines 
brought  into  heart-experience  and  life-influence.  O  sun  of  righte- 
ousness, let  us  feel  thy  warm,  enlivening  beams  upon  our  hearts, 
that  we  may  not  grow  cold,  formal  and  languid  before  thee :  thee  ; 
is  the  power. 

Then  raise  our  low  afTections,  Lord,  Thus  shall  we  know  we're  rais'd  indeed 

To  live  above  with  thee  :  From  earth  and  hell  and  sin; 

Let  formal  frames  be  e'er  abhorr'd:  To  live  with  thee  our  glorious  head, 

Let  us  thy  glory  see.  Whose  love  doth  reign  within.    M. 


OCTOBER  8.  285- 

My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the  Lord:  the  humble 
shall  hear  thereof  and  be  glad... .Psalm  xxxiv.  2. 

There  was  a  poor,  vain-glorious  boaster,  who  had  .arrived  to 
the  summit  of  his  happiness,  and  attained  the  zenith  of  his  glory: 
the  sun  of  prosperity  shined  with  great  splendor  upon  him  ;  he  bid 
adieu  to  all  care  :  down  he  sat  to  solace  himself;  "  Soul,"  said  he, 
"  thou  hast  much  goods  laid  up  for  many  years,  take  thine  ease,  eat, 
drink  and  be  merry."  But,  awful  moment !  solemn  speech  !  God 
said  unto  him,  "  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy  soiil  shall  be  required  of 
thee. "....Luke  xii.  19,20.  Ohow  many  such  fools  are  there,  who  think 
the  soul  can  be  made  happy  in  outward  ease,  eating  and  drinking, 
and  carnal  enjoyments  I  Alas  I  one  moment  dashes  the  honey  of 
their  comforts  into  the  gall  of  disappointment :  not  so  that  soul 
who  boasts  in  the  Lord.  This  was  not  a  transient  fit  of  David's, 
caused  by  a  warm  frame  of  the  passions ;  for,  says  he,  "  I  will 
bless  the  Lord  at  all  times  :  his  praise  shall  be  continually  in 
my  mouth."  This  is  living  indeed  like  a  son  of  God  and  an  heir  of 
glory.  Paul,  like  David,  sets  us  the  same  example.  Christ  and 
free-grace,  says  Luther,  was  ever  in  his  mouth  :  he  never  thought 
he  could  mention  the  precious  name  of  Christ  too  often  :  he  repeats 
it  in  every  verse  of  the  ten,  of  1  Cor.  i.  If  Christ  is  the  boast  and 
glory  of  our  souls,  his  name  will  ever  be  uppermost  in  our  hearts 
and  upon  our  tongue.  It  was  the  martyr  Lambert's  motto,  "  None 
but  Christ,  none  but  Christ."  It  is  said  of  one,  that  he  seldom  or 
«ver  mentioned  the  name  Jesus  without  a  tear.  A  martyr  was 
judged  to  be  dead,  being  burned  as  black  as  a  coal  in  the  fire,  mo- 
ved his  scorched  lips,  and  was  heard  to  say,  "  Sweet  Jesus,"  and 
fell  asleep.  These  were  all  poor,  needy  sinners,  like  ourselves  ; 
they*^aw  their  want  of  Christ  ;  they  believed  what  he  had  done  for 
them  ;  and  was  to  them  ;  they  gloried  in  him  and  made  him  the 
boast  of  their  souls.  The  humble  are  glad  to  hear  of  this:  it  de- 
lights their  souls  to  hear  the  name  of  their  Saviour  boasted  in,  his 
sacrifice  gloried  of,  his  righteousness  exalted,  and  his  salvation  the 
triumph  of  sinners  ;  their  hearts  catch  the  sound,  and  with  a  glow 
of  the  fire  of  love  they  join  the  heavenly  cry,  "  Worthy  is  the 
Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive  honor,  and  glory,  and  blessing/'  &c.... 
Rev.  v.  12.  O  how  vastly  different  is  this  from  self-exalting  and 
self-boasting :  but  God  resisteth  the  proud  and  giveth  grace  to  the 
humble.. ..James  iv.  6. 

What  tho'  I  am  but  filth  and  sin,  Jesu,  who  gave  thyself  for -me, 
A  wretch  both  vile  and  poor.  Keep  down  my  haughty  pride  : 

Yet  I  will  boast  of  Christ  my  King,  Let  all  my  glorying  be  of  thee. 
My  righteousness  and  store.  For  I  have  nought  beside.        M. 


566  OCTOBER  9. 

But  God,  :vho  is  rich  in  mcrcij.for  his  great  love  whei^^ 
iiith  he  loved  us,  even  zchen  we  were  dead  in  sins,  hatk 
quickened  us  together  with  Christ ;  (by  grace  ye  are 
saved).. ..Eph.  ii.  4.  5. 

My  dear  brethren  in  Christ,  and  thou,  O  my  soul,  one  chief. 
Teason  vhy  at  any  time  we  have  so  little  comfort  and  are  so  low  in 
joy  is,  we  do  not  enough  believe  and  live  upon  the  love  of  God.  Let 
\is  never  think  of,  or  look  for  any  mercy  from  God,  without  consi- 
dering that  it  flows  from  i.ove.  Is  God  rich  in  mercy  to  any  ?  It  is 
because  he  loves  them.  Great  love,  everlasting,  unchangeable  love 
is  the  source  and  spring  of  rich  mercy.  It  was  rich  mercy,  for  God 
to  give  us  his  beloved  Son  to  be  our  Saviour  iu  time.  This  was 
because  of  his  great  love,  to  us  before  time  :  he  loved  us  from  eter- 
nity in  his  Son:  he  loves  us  invariably  the  same  through  time  and 
T'.nder  all  states  and  circumstances  :  yea,  when  we  were  forlorn, 
hopeless,  helpless,  loathsome  and  desperate,  even  dead  in  sins,  he 
loved  us  with  great  love,  too  great  to  be  conceived  or  expressed  : 
he  manifested  it  by  bestowing  rich  mercy  upon  us  ;  mercy,  so 
rich,  so  free,  so  liberal,  that  it  came  to  us  unsought,  unasked,  un- 
deserved. His  gre?it  love  for  us  was  the  parent  of  his  rich  mercy 
to  us.  Mercy  without  love  may  be  exercised  by  an  enemy  ;  but 
the  mercy  of  God  flows  from  the  loving  heart  of  a  father  :  he  saw 
our  souls  dead  in  sin,  dead  under  his  law,  dead  to  himself.  Did  he 
leave  us  ?  No.  He  loved  us  with  great  love,  therefore  in  rich  mercy 
he  quickened  us.  Quickened  us  1  is  that  all  ?  A  quickened  soul,  some 
think,  is  in  a  very  inferior  degiree  of  grace  ;  it  is  neither  justified 
nor  sanctified  :  but  such  are  great  strangers  to  the  rich  mercy  and 
great  love  of  God  ;  and  they  do  not  consider,  that  souls  are  quickened 
together  with  Christ.  There  is  the  sweetness  of  quickening 
mercy  enjoyed.  Quickened  souls  see  their  sinfulness,  know  their 
poverty,  feel  their  misery  and  wretchedness,  and  groan  under  a  body 
of  sin  and  death  :  but  here  is  their  glory,  joy  and  comfort,  they  are 
one  with  Christ  :  his  life  is  theirs,  his  death  is  theirs,  his  righteous- 
ness is  theirs,  his  holiness  is  theirs,  his  fulness  is  theirs.  Tliough  sin 
is  not  dead  in  us,  yet  Ix'ing  one  with  Christ,  we  are  dead  indeed  un- 
to sin  and  alive  to  God.  By  grace  ye  are  saved  :  neither  you 
nor  your  works  have  the  least  hand  in  salvation.  Therefore  rejoice  ; 
it  is  not  precarious  and  uncertain  whether  you  shall  be  saved:  for 
quickened  souls  may  be  as  sure  of  it  as  if  they  were  now  before  the 
throne.  O,  may  love,  mercy  and  grace,  be  the  constant  theme  of 
our  souls. 

We'll  sing  rich  mercy  and  great  love,  Then  let  us  live  like  saints  on  earth. 
To  us  so  freely  giv'n  Tho'  we  are  sinners  poor, 

By  God  our  Father  from  above.  That  we  may  prove  our  heav'nly  birth. 
Whereby  we're  heirs  of  hciv'n.  And  Christ  our  Lord  adore.      M. 


OCTOBER   10.  28r 

Mine  iniquities  are  gone  over  mine  head :  as  an  heavy 
burden,  thei/  are  too  heavy  for  me....  Psalm  xxxviii.  4. 

Though  there  may  be  pleasures  in  sin  for  a  season,  yet  at  the 
last,  "  it  biteth  like  a   serpent,   and  stingelh  like   an   adder."     O, 
come  hither  and  see  how  the  venom  of  sin  has  overspread  poor  Da- 
vid's whole  frame  :  read  this  Psalm  :   mark  the  anguish  of  his  con- 
science and  the  distress  of  his  solil  ;  and  say,  is  not  sin  exccedinij 
sinful  ?   What  pain,  out  of  hell,  can  be  compared  to  the  pain  of  a 
guilty  conscience  ?     But  better,    infinitely   better,   to  smart  for  sin 
here  than  to  cry  out  of  the  smart  of  sin  in  hell.     Conviction  of  sin 
by  the  Spirit  is  in  order  to  cleansing  from  sin  by  the  blood  of  Christ. 
Better  to  roar  from  the  disquietness  of  one's  soul  on  earth,  than  to 
sleep  secure  in  sin,  till  we  drop  into  and  roar  for  sin  in  the  bottom- 
less pit :  one  or  other  will  be  the  portion  of  all  flesh.     Two  similies 
are  before  us  expressive  of  David's  distress.     1st.  "  Mine  iniquities 
are  gone  over  mine  head."     He  was  like  a  man  in  the  greatest  dan- 
ger of  drowning  ;  overwhelmed  with  distress,  like  one  whose  head 
was  under  water :   his  iniquities  caused  his  soul  to  sink  within  him. 
2d.  They  were  as   a  heavy  burden.     He  had  greater  weight  upon 
him  than  he  could  stand  under.     He  cries  out,   as  though  ready  to 
lie  crushed  by   its  ponderous  load,  "  they  are  too  heavy  for  me." 
3d.  Look  at  his  cry,  and  hear  upon  whom  he  calls  :  "  Make  haste 
to  help  me,  O  Lord,  my  salvation. "....Psalm  xxxviii.  22.     Though 
sinking  under  and  pressed  down  with  his  iniquities  on  his  conscience, 
yet  he  had  salvation  in  view  and  the  Lord  of  his   salvation  as    his 
.hope.     O  Lord,  my  Jesus.     Now,  can  you  be  in  a  worse  plight  than 
David  Avas  ?  Can  you  be  under  more  distressing  circumstances  ?  He 
was  sinking  in  deep  waters,  with   a   ponderous  load  upon  him.     In 
such  a  state,  you  may  discover  whether  your  convictions  are  evan- 
gelical and  you  possess  the  faith  of  God's  elect  or  not.     Legal  con- 
victions only  fill  the  soul  with  terror,  drive  it  from  God,  and  leave 
it  in  despair  without  hope.     Convictions  from  the  Spirit,  the  com- 
forter, lead  the  soul  to  Christ ;   and  the  faith,   hope  and  cry   of  the 
soul  will  be  after  the  help  and  salvation  of  Jesus   only  :   for,   he  is 
"  the  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away  the   sin  of  the  world."     Be- 
hold him,  O  my  soul,  under  every  sense  of  guilt  ;  believe  him,  un- 
der every  dejection  of  soul,  for  he  hath  assured  us,   "  all  manner  of 
*in  and  blasphemy  shall  be  forgiven  unto  men.".. ..Matt.  xii.  31. 

When  sin  does  weigh  my  spirits  down,  I  bless  the  Spirit's  holy  grace. 

And  dread  besets  my  soul :  Who  doth  convince  of  sin, 

Lord,  then  thy  sacrifice  I'll  own,  And  leads  me  (JD  my  Saviour's  face. 

Thy  blood  can  make  me  whole.  For  pard'ning  love  within.        M. 


288  OCTOBER   II. 

But  as  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  poioer  to 
become  the  sons  of  God Tolin  i.  12. 

Man  lost  paradise  by  receiving  a  gift  from  satan.  There  is  no 
way  to  regain  it,  but  by  receiving  Christ,  the  gift  of  God.  Am  I 
one  of  the  many  who  have  received  Christ  ?  This  question  is  of 
eternal  moment.  If  I  have  not,  no  matter  what  I  profess,  by  what 
name  I  am  called,  what  I  think  of  myself,  or  others  think  concern- 
ing me  ;  for  I  am  certainly  in  a  state  of  wrath,  exposed  to  eternal 
flamnation.  "What  answer  docs  conscience  return  to  this  important 
question  ?  God  may  this  night  require  my  soul.  I  may  be  in  eter- 
nity before  the  morning  light.  Have  I  received  Christ  or  not? 
What  is  it  to  receive  Christ .'  Many  precious  souls  are  sadly  per- 
plexed and  greatly  distressed  here.  But  why  should  they  ?  St. 
John  plainly  tells  us,  to  receive  Christ,  is  to  believe  on  his  name, 
that  he  is  the  anointed  Saviour  of  lost  sinners.  Do  you  receive  this 
truth  into  your  heart  ?  Does  your  mind  go  out  after  Christ  ?  Do 
you  hunger  and  thirst  to  know  him,  as  your  Saviour,  to  save  you  ? 
Then,  as  sure  as  you  exist  you  do  believe  in  Christ's  name.  Bless 
the  holy  Spirit,  who  has  opened  your  eyes  to  see  his  glory  and 
your  heart  to  receive  this  precious  Jesus  :  hear  and  rejoice  :  he 
gives  you,  and  all  such,  "  power  to  become  the  Son  of  God." 
Not  merely  puts  it  in  the  power  of  your  free-will  to  choose  whether 
you  Avill  become  a  son  of  God  or  not ;  but  he  actually  bestows  this 
heavenly  honor  upon  us.  He  gives  us  the  right  (or  privilege  as 
in  the  margin  of  our  bibles)  of  enjoying  the  comfort  and  blessing  of 
being  the  adopted  sons  of  God.  O  the  riches  of  neAV  covenant  grace 
and  love  1  What  a  miracle  of  mercy  is  this!  Of  the  children  of 
wrath  and  heirs  of  hell,  Christ  makes  us  sons  of  God  and  heirs  of 
heaven  !  Why  then  do  you  ever  live  uncomfortably  or  walk  unho- 
lily  ?  It  is  because  you  do  not  assert  your  right,  maintain  your 
PRIVILEGE,  and  live  up  to  your  power,  in  your  mind  and  conscience. 
Hence  love  to,  and  delight  in  your  Father  God  and  your  Saviour 
Jesus,  are  wanting.  O  remember,  ever  remember,  as  you  received 
Christ  by  fiiilh,  all  your  power,  peace  and  comfort  flows  from  him 
through  faith  :  study,  strive  and  pray  to  the  Spirit  to  keep  faith  lively 
in  act  and  exercise,  that  you  may  live  and  walk  on  earth  so  as  to 
glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven  :  for  if  you  are  a  son  of  God, 
by  faith  in  Christ,  you  have  got  the  heart  of  a  son  ;  the  fear,  the 
love,  the  hope,  and  the  delight  of  a  son  of  God  ;  and  you  will  rejoice 
to  think  that  you  shall  soon  be  at  home  with  your  heavenly  Father. 

Am  I  a  son  of  God,  thro'  faith  May  it  my  daily  study  he 

Receiving  Jesus  Cliriit  ?  To  live  and  walk  by  faith. 

Rejoice,  my  soul,  and  glory  give  And  glerify  my  Father  God, 

To  Christ  in  whom  thou'rt  blest.  Obeying  what  he  saith.              M. 


OCTOBER   12.  289 

Who  are  kept  by  the  poiuer  of  God,  through  faith,  tmto 
salvation....! Pet.  i.  5. 

The  wicked,  ^vho  are  totally  ignorant  of  the  doctrines  of  grace, 
preach  this  truth  by  their  common  saying,  "  They  only  are  well  kept 
whom  God  keeps."  Many,  who  profess  to  preach  the  gospel,  do 
not  hold  forth  such  sound  divinity  as  this.  Consider  these  three 
points.  Who  are  thus  kept  ?  How  are  they  kept  ?  Unto  what  are 
they  kept?  1st.  Who  are  kept  ?  Peter  tells  us,  1st.  They  are  the 
elect  according  to  the  fore-knowledge  of  God.  2d.  "  Sanctified  by 
the  Spirit  unto  obedience."  They  obey  the  Father's  voice  :  they 
hear  and  believe  on  his  beloved  Son.  Hence,  3d.  Sprinkled  by  the 
blood  of  Christ  from  the  guilt  of  sin  in  their  consciences.  4th. 
"  Begotten  to  a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ,  to 
an  inheritance  reserved  in  heaven  for  them."  The  work  of  the  glo- 
rious trinity  has  passed  upon  them.  5th.  Christ  calls  them  "  my 
sheep."... . John  X.  14.  This  implies  that  we  are  very  weak,  timor- 
ous, helpless  creatures.  If  left  to  our  own  keeping,  to  stand  by 
our  own  power,  and  to  persevere  by  our  own  faithfulness,  alas  !  we 
should  be  quite  out  of  heart ;  for  we  must  perish  everlastingly  :  but 
God  does  not  beget  children  whom  satan  shall  destroy  :  Christ  doth 
not  redeem  souls,  whom  hell  shall  receive :  the  Spirit  sanctifies  none 
who  shall 'have  their  portion  with  the  damned  :  therefore  they  are 
all  kept.  2d.  How?  By  the  power  of  God,  as  in  an  impregnable 
garrison  :  they  are  garrisoned  in  Christ,  in  God:  the  power  of  al- 
mighty God  surrounds  them.  This  is  the  God-honoring,  soul- 
triumphing  language  of  their  faith,  "Jehovah  is  my  rock,  my  for- 
tress, my  deliverer,  my  God,  (my  Elohim  in  covenant)  my  strength, 
in  whom  I  will  trust;  my  buckler,  and  the  horn  of  my  salvation, 
and  my  high  tower.".. ..Psalm  xviii.  2.  You  see  they  are  kept 
through  faith  :  that  keeps  them  low,  humble  and  dependent ;  that 
leads  them  quite  out  of  self  and  nature  into  God's  power,  grace  and 
strength  :  they  are  most  sensible  of  their  own  weakness  to  stand, 
inability  to  persevere  and  proneness  to  fall  away.  Therefore  they 
trust  most  on  the  power  of  God  through  faith.  Their  faith  can 
never  fail.  Christ  prays  for  them.  As  he  keeps  their  persons,  so 
he  suffers  not  their  faith  to  fail:  they  look  unto  Jesus.  Is  this  your 
blessed  character  ?  Rejoice.  For,  3d.  You  are  kept.. ..unto  what  ? 
Salvation.  That  shall  be  the  end  of  your  faith.  Those  whom 
Christ  has  redeemed  by  his  blood,  justified  by  his  grace,  he  will 
save  unto  eternal  glory  ;  they  are  as  safe  in  his  hands  now,  as  though 
round  his  throne  in  glory. 

Lord,  keep  me  safe,  and  keep  me  near  And  make  me  ever  more  to  fear. 
Thy  blessed  self  in  love  i  The  ways  of  sin  to  prove.  M. 

Vol.  II.  N  n 


290  OCTOBER   13. 

What  then?..., Bom.  vi.  15. 

These  short  and  frequent  interrogations  of  scripture  are  greatly 
to  be  prized  :  there  is  a  vast  deal  contained  in  these  questions,  "  What 
shall  we  say  then  ?"  What  then  ?  They  are  like  the  word  Shibboleth 
with  which  they  tried  the  people  of  old.  But  they  could  not  frame  their 
mouths  to  pronounce  it.     They  corrupted  the  word,  and  said,  Sib- 
BOLETH.     So  many  at  this  day  corrupt  the  word  of  the  glorious 
doctrines  of   grace,    by  leaving  out  the  H,  holiness  ;  which  all 
the  doctrines  of  the  holy  gospel  are  divinely  calculated  to  promote. 
"  What  then  ?"  comes  most  suitable  after  the  precious  doctrine  of 
the  justified  saints  of  God  being  kept  by  his  power  to  eternal  salva- 
tion.    What  then?    O,  Avhenever  you   think  of  God's  everlasting 
love  and  Christ's  finished  salvation,  and  of  glory  being  sure  and 
certain  to  you,  ask  your  heart.  What  then  ?  Shall  I  continue  in  sin, 
because  such   unmerited  love,  grace  and  mercy  abounds  to  me  ? 
No: you  will  reject  the  thought  with  the  utmost  abhorrence,  crying  in 
the  fervor  of  faith  and  love,  God  forbid!    For,   1st.  Your  soul  will  be 
kept  alive  to  God:  you  will  have  sincere  love  to  him,  his  truths,  his  pro- 
mises, and  his  commands:   you  will  have  a  filial  fear  of  offending 
him,  a  godly  jealousy  for  his  honor  and  glory  ;    and  delight  in  his 
worship  and  service.     All  this  naturally  results  from  a  lively  faith 
in  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.     Where  this  is  not,  all  is  not  right  within  : 
there  will  be  suspicions  of  your  faith  and  hope.     2d.  You  will  be 
dead  to  sin  :  you  cannot  live  and  walk  under  the  power  of  it :  you 
will  be  groaning  under  it ;  striving  against  it ;  aspiring  after  victory 
over  it ;  longing  for  perfect  freedom  from  it ;  looking  to  Jesus  and 
expecting  it.     3d.  You  will  be  dead  to  the  world  :  you  can  no  longer 
live  after  its  vain  customs  and  sinful  manners,  pleased  with  its  sen- 
sual pleasures  and  carnal  delights  :    you  will  put  away    all  such 
childish  things,  now  you  are  a  man  in  Christ.     4tli.  You  will  live  in 
love  with   the  people  of   God  and  have  sweet  fellowship  uiih  the 
brethren  of  Christ :    these  you  will  choose  and  delight  in  as  yo\ir 
companions  and  familiar  friends  :   you  will  be  perfectly  agreed  with 
the  men  of  this  world.     They  like  not  your  company:  you  will  not 
theirs.     For,  5th.  Your  grand   study  and  chief  aim  is  to  keep  up 
and  walk  in  sweet  fellowship  with  God  the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ :  therefore  whatever  tends  to  prevent  the  comfortable  enjoy- 
ment of  this,  you  will  carefully  avoid :  what  tends  to  promote  this, 
you  will  diligently  pursue. 

If 'God  doth  sinners  evor  love,     [then  ?  Vouchsafe  lo  keep  me  daily  Lord 
And  Christ  hath  dy'd  to  save,  what      From  sin,  walking  iu  holiness; 
Our  hearts  and  liopes  should  he  above,  Conform  my  life  unto  thy  word, 
And  we  should  never  sin  again.  That  peace  and  joy  I  may  possess.  M. 


OCTOBER   14.  291 

Let  us,  as  many  as  be  perfect,  be  thus  minded..., PhiL 
iii.  15. 

Speaking  of  righteousness  unto  justification  of  eternal  life, 
Paul  says,  "The  election  hath  obtained  it,  and  the  rest  were  blinded." 
Rom.  xi.  7.  What  were  they  blinded  by  ?  Their  own  righteousness. 
This,  like  a  cloud,  intercepted  the  |flory  of  the  sun  of  righteous- 
ness from  their  minds :  their  own  righteousness  prevented  their 
seeing  their  want  of  the  righteousness  of  Christ  to  justify  them  he- 
fore  God.  So  of  perfection  ;  many  are  so  blinded  with  their  own 
fancied  perfection  that  they  see  net  the  glorious  perfection  of  Christ, 
and  how  poor  sinners  in  themselves  are  absolutely  perfect  in  him. 
Paul  just  before  said,  he  was  not  perfect :  now  he  says  he  is  perfect. 
What  can  he  mean?  Ironically,  say  some;  by  way  of  sneer  upon 
those  who  fancied  theniselves  perfect.  Say,  others  comparatively- 
perfect,  with  respect  to  those  who  are  ignorant  of  Christ;  perfect 
in  parts,  but  not  in  degree  :  but,  I  humbly  presume,  it  is  most 
agreeable  to  the  analogy  of  faith  to  suppose  he  here  means  what  he 
elsewhere  speaks  of,  "  perfect  as  pertaining  to  the  conscience,  by 
the  work  of  Christ.".. ..Heb.  ix.  9.  How  are  some  poor  souls  puz- 
zled and  others  deluded  about  perfection  !  Mind  :  here  is  a  perfec- 
tion which  every  believer  is  possessed  of,  pertaining  to  the  con- 
science :  this  is  received  and  enjoyed  there  by  faith  in  the  atone- 
ment and  righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God;  "By  whom  we  have 
NOW  received  the  atonement.".... Rom.  v.  11.  It  is  received  by  faith 
and  applied  to  our  consciences,  so  that  we  have  no  more  conscience 
of  sins  but  what  we  hayc  the  perfect  atonement  of  Christ's  blood  to 
plead  and  to  cleanse  us  from.  So  of  the  condemnation  of  the  law: 
we  have  the  perfect  righteousness  of  Christ  to  answer  it ;  hence 
there  is  now  no  condemnation  to  us.  Thus,  being  delivered  from 
wrath,  guilt  and  condemnation,  by  the  perfect  work  of  our  Im- 
manuel,  our  consciences  are  at  perfect  peace  with  God,  perfectly 
reconciled  to  him ;  we  are  made  perfectly  accepted  in  the  beloved. 
Thus  we  are  perfect ;  for  our  title  to  glory  is  perfect  and  complete. 
The  Spirit,  who  thus  perfected  us  by  faith,  bears  witness  of  it  in  the 
word  and  to  our  consciences.  O  glorious  state  !  O  blessed  perfec- 
tion !  Thus  our  Lord's  prayer  is  answered  upon  us,  "  I  in  them, 
and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  one."... .John 
xvii.  23.  Hence  Paul  exhorts,  "  Be  thus  minded."  We  must  re- 
serve this  for  the  next  meditation.  Ever  remember,  "  The  law 
made  nothing  perfect,  but  the  bringing  in  of  a  better  hope  did ;  by 
which  we  draw  nigh  unto  God.". ...Heb.  vii.  19, 

Perfect  in  Christ  we  stand  compleat,   Justice  acquits,  grace  makes  us  meet 
Before  God's  holy  tluoue,  Glory  to  God  alone. 


292  OCTOBER  15. 

Ltt  US,  as  many  as  he  perfect ,  be  thus  minded..., PhiL 
iii.  15. 

Paul  says,  his  pr'eaching  Christ,  warning  and  teaching  every 
man  of  his  ruined  state,  in  all  wisdom,  was  to  this  great  and  glori- 
ous end,  to  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus.. ..Col.  i.  28. 
How  often  have  our  minds  been  distressed  and  dejected  (I  speak  for 
one)  seeing  our  imperfection,  in  all  we  are  and  in  all  we  do  ?  In- 
stead of  this  we  are  called  again  and  again  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  ALWAY."....Phil.  iv.  4.  This  we  shall  do  if  our  consciences  be 
made  perfect  by  the  blessed  work  of  Christ  received  by  faith,  as  was 
observed  in  the  last  meditation.  O,  rest  not  short  of  perfect  satis- 
faction in  this  matter.  The  work  of  Christ,  has  perfectly  satisfied 
God's  justice  and  truth,  and  made  honorable  his  holy  law,  why 
should  it  not  perfectly  satisfy  your  conscience  and  make  it  perfect  ? 
Now  we  are  exhorted  to  be  like  minded.. ..In  what  respect  1  You  will 
see  in  the  foregoing  verses.  1st.  Rejoice  in  the  Lord:  this  is  the 
happy  privilege  of  every  believer:  yet  how  sadly  neglected!  It  is  a 
command  by  which  the  Lord  is  as  much  honored  as  by  obeying  any 
one'  of  the  ten  commandments:  consider  this:  be  concerned  to 
practice  it.  2d.  Beware  of  those  who  have  confidence  in  the  flesh. 
Paul  calls  them  dogs  and  evil  workers  ;  as  though  they  were  ever 
barking  and  cavilling  against  the  perfection  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus, 
and  opposing  somewhat  of  their  own  to  it.  3d.  Worship  God  in 
the  spirit :  in  the  life  and  spirit  of  the  gospel  of  ?,race  and  peace. 
4th.  Count  all  things  loss  for  Christ,  by  whom,  you  gain  all  things. 
Renounce  your  own  righteousness  for  the  righteousness  of  Christ 
received  by  faith.  Desire  to  be  found  in  Christ  living,  dying,  and 
at  the  judgment  day.  5th.  Win  Christ  and  wear  him  by  faith  from 
day  to  day,  that  you  may  be  made  conformable  to  his  death,  in  dying 
to  sin,  self  and  the  world.  6th.  Follow  after  Christ :  knowing  that 
all  your  perfection  is  in  him,  that  you  may  apprehend  him,  catch 
faster  hold  of  him,  cleave  more  stedfastly  to  him,  abide  more  com- 
fortably in  him,  that  you  may  enjoy  more  sweet  fellowship  with 
him,  for  which  Christ  apprehended  you  when  you  was  posting  to 
hell.  O,  never  forget  his  love  in  this :  take  faster  hold  of  him. 
7th.  "  Press  toward  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of  your  high  calling 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus."  Your  calling  is  clear  :  the  prize  is  before 
you,  a  crown  of  righteousness:  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge  helds 
it  out  for  you,  and  will  surely  give  it  you.  Looking  to  him  by 
faith  ;  "Forgetting  the  things  which  are  behind,  and  reaching  forth 
unto  the  things  which  are  before  :"  Christ  and  glory. 

Tho*  perfect  now.  we  still  press  on,     We  live  by  faith  on  God's  dear  Son, 
Perfection's  prize  to  gain,  'Till  all  our  foes  arc  slain.  M. 


OCTOBER   16;  29S 

We  also  joi)  in  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
zvhom  ive  have  now  received  the  atonement. . ..Bom.  v.  1 1. 

Having  obtained  the  king's  free  pardon  for  a  poor  man  cast 
for  transportation,  I  carried  it  to  the  gaol  to  him  :  seeing  the  poor 
fettered  creature  fall  down  upon  his  knees  to  return  thanks,  caused 
a  burst  of  tears  from  mine  eyes  of  heart-felt  joy.  I  thought,  this 
is  just  what  thou,  O  my  precious  Saviour,  hast  done  for  me  :  thou 
hast  obtained  a  free  and  full  pardon  of  all  my  sins,  set  my  soul  at 
liberty,  and  filled  it  with  peace  and  joy,  by  the  one  atonement  of  thy 
precious  blood.  The  poor  convict  had  not  read  his  pardon  :  he  had 
not  seen  the  king's  name  to  it.  I  only  made  the  report  to  him  that 
I  had  got  it :  he  believed  me  ;  hence  he  was  happy,  joyful  and  thank- 
ful. Thus  he  received  his  pardon.  Now  here  is  a  simple  and  plain 
idea  of  faith. ...Of  what  ?  Receiving  the  atonement  of  Christ  and  of 
joy  in  God.  You  are  a  poor  sinner  :  the  Spirit  of  God  comes  and 
convinces  you  of  sin  :  you  are  arraigned,  tried,  brought  in  guilty, 
cast  and  condemned  in  the  court  of  conscience  :  you  are  concluded 
under  sin  and  shut  up  in  unbelief:  here  you  wait  in  sorrow  and  dis- 
tress for  the  sentence  of  the  law  to  be  executed  upon  you  :  you  mid 
you  can  do  nothing  that  can  obtain  pardon  and  liberty  for  your  poor 
soul :  but,  the  gospel  brings  the  glad  tidings  of  the  atonement  of 
Christ  to  your  ears,  and  that  by  it  a  full  and  free  pardon  is  obtained 
for  sinners.  Now,  what  reception  does  it  meet  with  in  your  heart  ? 
Say  you,  I  believe  it  from  the  very  ground  of  my  heart,  but  I  fear  it 
is  not  for  me.  It  is  free  for  all  who  will  receive  it  by  faith.  You 
believe  it,  therefore  you  have  received  it :  you  ought  to  joy  in  God 
for  it.  Examine  into  the  grounds  of  your  fears  and  doubts.  Is  the 
atonement  of  Christ  sufiicient  to  satisfy  divine  justice  and  obtain 
pardon  and  peace  ?  This  you  cannot  doubt.  Is  it  not  free  for  all 
sorts  of  sinners  ?  Of  this  you  can  have  no  fear  :  "  For  this  is  a 
faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus 
came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,"....!  Tim.  i.  15. ...who  are 
nothing  but  cursed  sinners,  and  have  nothing  but  cursed  sin  in  them. 
Do  you  doubt  that  you  arc  too  great  a  sinner  ?  This  cannot  be. 
Paul  says,  of  sinners,  I  am  chief.  Yet  he  received  the  atone- 
ment and  was  saved  by  it.  Learn  hence,  1st.  That  all  joy  in  God 
springs  from  the  one  atonement  of  Christ  for  sin,  and  that  only, 
exclusive  of  every  thing  else.  2d.  Every  one  who  believes  in 
Christ  has  now  received  this  atonement.  And  therefore,  5d. 
Ought  constantly  to  joy  in  God  the  Father's  everlasting  love. 

No  joy  in  God,  to  him  no  love,  'Till  faith  is  given  from  above, 

We  ever  can  possess ;  In  Christ  our  righteousness.      M. 


294  OCTOBER  IT. 

Standfast  therefore  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  has 
771  a  de  us  free  y  a  fid  be  not  entangled  with  the  yoke  of 
bondage. ...GaL  v.  1. 
Here  is  somewhat  enjoyed,  danger  of  being  deprived  of  it,  and 
the  necessity  of  standing  fast  in  it.  Let  us  consider  these  three 
points,  looking  unto  Jesus..  1st.  What  is  enjoyed?  Liberty. 
One  of  the  most  precious  blessings  in  life.  But  this  of  all  liberties, 
the  most  precious  ;  for,  Christ  hath  made  us  free  in  our  consciences, 
1st.  From  the  guilt  and  power  of  sin.  2d.  From  all  condemnation 
of  the  law.  And,  3d.  To  have  access  to  God  as  righteous  persons. 
He  hath  washed  away  the  guilt  of  our  sins  by  his  blood,  and  sub- 
dued the  power  of  them  by  his  Spirit ;  "  He  hath  redeemed  us  from 
the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us.".. ..Gal.  iii.  13.  So 
that  "  there  is  now  no  condemnation  to  us,  being  in  Christ  Jesus." 
....Rora.  viii.  1.  He  presents  us  before  his  Father  in  his  perfect 
righteousness.  We  are  accepted  in  the  beloved,  by  God,  as  per- 
fectly righteous,  "  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace."....Ephes. 
j.  6.  Thus  Christ  hath  freed  us  from  the  law,  sin,  death  and  hell : 
he  has  brought  us  into  this  blessed  liberty  by  his  Spirit.  We  enjoy 
this  precious  freedom  in  our  consciences  by  faith.  O  brethren,  let 
us  glory  in  our  inestimable  privilege  :  let  us  ever  rejoice  in  Christ 
Jesus  and  give  him  the  glory  of  our  hearts,  lips  and  lives  for  it.  But, 
2d.  See  your  danger  of  being  entangled  again  with  the  yoke  of 
bondage.  We  who  now  enjoy  the  precious  liberty  of  Christ,  were 
once  entangled  with  the  law  ;  a  most  dreadful  yoke  it  was.  Wc 
felt  wrath  working  in  our  consciences,  and  dread  and  terror  hung 
over  our  guilty  heads  from  day  to  day.  O,  how  did  we  then  pant 
and  cry  for  Christ  to  set  our  souls  at  liberty.  We  were  tied  and 
bound  with  the  chain  of  our  sins,  fettered  by  the  law,  shut  up  in  un- 
belief. My  soul  deeply  felt  this  distress.  O  beware  of  bondage 
again.  There  is  danger  on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left.  The 
pleasures  of  sin  and  the  pride  of  our  hearts,  seeking  either  in  whole 
or  in  part  justification  by  the  law  of  works,  are  both  equally  contra- 
ry to  our  freedom  in  Christ.  O  let  us  therefore,  3d.  Stand  fast  in 
the  liberty  of  Christ.  1st.  Against  all  temptations  to  sin:  oppose 
your  happiness  in  Christ  to  all  the  pleasures  of  sin,  which  are  but  for 
a  season.  2d.  Stand  fast  in  your  freedom  in  Christ,  against  all  the 
corrupt  notions  of  self-righteous  men  who  are  under  the  law,  seeking 
to  be  justified  in  whole  or  in  part  by  their  own  works.  3d.  Against 
all  the  accusations  of  satan  :  wc  overcome  him  by  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  4th.  Against  all  the  legal  workings  of  your  flesh  ;  for  wc 
are  the  Lord's  freemen  :  we  are  no  more  under  bondage* 

Stand  fast,  my  soul,  in  Christ  thy  Lorfl,  Emboldcn'd  by  God's  precious  word. 
To  legal  preachers  give  not  waj,  Maintain  thy  freedom  ev'ry  day.  M. 


OCTOBER  18.  335 

And  he  requested  for  himself  that  he  might  die.... I  Kings 
xix.  4. 

"  Elias  was  a  man  subject  to  like  passiens  as  we  are.".... 
James  v.  1 7.  This  request  proves  it.  It  arose  from  fear  and  dis- 
content. Both  were  occasioned  by  the  threats  of  a  weak,  but  wick- 
ed woman.  Jezebel  threatened  his  life.  O  how  soon  and  by  what 
weak  means  are  the  fine  frames  of  God's  children  spoiled  and  dis- 
composed !  What,  Elijah  !  that  great  prophet  of  the  Lord,  who  had 
wrought  so  many  notable  miracles  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  who 
had  been  so  miraculously  fed  by  ravens,  according  to  the  command 
of  the  Lord.. ..he,  who  had  courage  tb  say,  "  As  the  Lord  of  hosts 
liveth,  before  whom  I  stand,  I  will  surely  shew  myself  to  incensed 
Ahab  to-day".. ..what,  he  I  who  had  zeal  to  face  four  hundred  and 
fifty  of  Baal's  priests,  and  to  command  them  all  to  be  slain,  what, 
does  he  request  to  die  because  of  the  thrcalenings  of  a  woman  ?■ 
What  shall  we  say  to  this  ?  Verily,  human  nature  is  the  same  in  all, 
whether  prophets,  patriarchs,  or  apostles  :  all  men  arc  not  the  same 
at  all  times  :  the  flesh  is  part  of  themselves  :  it  lusts  against  the 
Spirit :  this  is  manifest  in  all,  none  excepted.  What  is  man  when 
left  of  God  ?  What  are  the  best  of  men  when  left  to  themselves  ? 
And  yet  the  same  apostle  James  says,  "  Take,  my  brethren,  the 
prophets  who  have  spoken,  in  the  name  of  the  Lonl,  for  an  exam- 
ple of  suffering  artliction,  and  of  patience.". ...James  v.  10.  But 
where  shall  we  find  a  perfect  character  ?  Paul  might  well  say,  "  We 
have  this  treasure  (all  the  gifts  and  graces  of  God's  Spirit)  in 
earthen  vessels."  Why  ?  That  the  excellency  of  the  power  might 
be  of  God,  and  not  of  us.. ..2  Cor.  iv.  7.  But  if  earthen  vessels  were 
not  sometimes  left  to  themselves  they  would  forget  this.  Elijah, 
like  Paul,  uas  in  danger  of  being  exalted  above  measure  for  his 
eminent  gifts,  graces  and  miraculous  works  :  he  is  left  to  be  buf- 
feted, that  he  might  know  his  own  sinfulness  and  impotence.  Learn 
a  lesson  hence  to-night :  pixjphets,  apostles,  ministers  of  Christ,  are 
men  of  like  passions,  frail  sinners  like  yourselves.  Paul  forbears 
glorying  ;  "  Lest,"  says  he,  "  any  man  should  think  of  me  above 
what  he  sees  me  to  be. "....2  Cor.  xii.  6.  If  we  so  judge  of  minis- 
ters, we  shall  be  in  great  danger  of  harm  thereby.  1st.  We  shall 
over-rate  them,  look  to  them,  instead  of  through  them  to  God  :  we 
shall  rest  on  their  teaching  instead  of  God's.  Then,  2d.  If  we  do 
but  see  those  infirmities  in  them  which  are  common  to  men,  O  then, 
who  could  have  thought  it  !  we  shall  under-rate  them  and  be  preju- 
diced against  them,  so  as  not  to  be  profited  by  them.  Cease  ye 
from  man  :  look  unto  the  Lord. 


296  OCTOBER   19. 

Beh old  hs  praijeth ....Ads  ik,  11. 

In  many  trades  it  is  customary  to  shew  samples  or  patterns  : 
by  these  men  judge  of  the  goodness  or  quality  of  the  whole.  Paul 
sets  himself  forth  as  a  sample,  or  pattern  of  the  free,  distinguishing, 
sovereign,  immerited  grace  of  God,  that  we  should  judge  of  its  na- 
ture by  its  efficacy  upon  him  :  "  I  obtained  mercy,  for  this  cause, 
that  in  me  first  (a  first  rate  sinner)  Jesus  Christ  might  shew  forth 
all  long  suffering,  for  a  pattern  to  them  who  should  hereafter  be- 
lieve on  him  to  life  everlasting."....!  Tim.  i.  16.  Thou  hast  seen 
this  pattern  of  free  grace.  What  dost  thou  think  of  it  ?  The 
■whole  is  alike  with  the  pattern  :  it  cometh  alike  upon  all  elect  sin- 
ners :  it  finds  no  more  pre-requisites,  fitness,  qualifications,  or  con- 
ditions in  any  than  it  did  in  Paul.  Whenever  it  takes  place  upon 
any,  it  produceth  the  same  effects  as  it  did  in  him.  Grace  and 
mercy  from  Jesus,  makes  Saul  pray  to  Jesus  :  there  is  the  empha- 
sis :  this  is  the  main  point  :  "  Behold,  he  prayeth."  To  whom  ? 
Doubtles,  he  had  prayed  much  and  often,  while  an  unconverted 
pharisee  ;  but  it  was  to  an  unknown  God.  He  kneAv  there  was  a 
God  :  he  knew  it  was  his  duty  to  pray  to  hinv  ;  but  he  knew  him  not. 
But  now,  Jesus  speaks  to  him  :  God  manifests  himself  to  him  in 
Christ :  therefore,  behold,  take  special  notice  of  this,  "  Behold  he 
•  prayeth,"  to  Jesus  ;  to  God  in  Christ.  He  no  longer  durst  come 
to  God  in  his  own  name,  to  expect  access  to  God  and  acceptance 
■with  him  on  account  of  his  own  sincerity,  works  of  righteousness, 
8cc.  but  in  the  name,  blood  and  righteousnes  of  the  Son  of  God 
ONLY.  So  he  prayed,  so  he  evidenced  his  conversion  to  Jesus  ; 
hence  the  true  Spirit  of  prayer  manifested  itself  in  him  ;  his  prayers 
were  agreeable  to,  and  sprung  from  his  knowledge  of  himself  as  a 
poor  sinner  and  faith  in  the  Son  of  God  as  the  only  Saviour.  This 
is  the  prayer  which  God  delights  in,  takes  special  notice  of,  and  re- 
fers to  as  an  evidence  of  true  conversion.  Hence  know,  prayerless 
soiils  are  Christless.  Prayer,  without  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  faith 
in  him,  hope  of  eternal  life  by  him,  and  acceptance  through  him,  is 
only  lip  service  and  formal  duty  :  but,  the  spirit  of  prayer  arises  in 
the  heart,  from  a  discovery  of  a  God  in  Christ ;  the  knowledge  of 
him,  by  believing  his  word  of  grace  and  truth,  and  expecting  his 
mercy  and  salvation,  according  to  his  great  and  precious  promises 
given  in  Christ.  Dost  thou  pray  thus  ?  Then  it  may  be  truly  said 
of  thee,  behold  thou  art  converted  ;  thy  prayers  evidence  it :  the 
God  who  heareth  prayer  hath  manifested  himself  to  thee  as  he  does 
not  unto  the  world. 

We  cannot  pray  when  we  are  dead,      Of  Jesus  and  his  saving  aid  ; 

Because  we  feel  no  want  But  mercy  he  doth  grant.  M. 


OCTOBER  20.  29r 

But  one  thing  is  needful.... Luke  x.  42. 

Happy,  most  happy  for  that  soul  who  can  simply  bring  all 
things  into  a  unit,  to  center  in  one  point.  More  than  one  object  per- 
plexes the  mind.  If  to  double  business  bent,  we  stand  and  pause 
where  we  shall  first  begin,  and  both  neglect.  What  is  the  one 
THING  NEEDFUL?  By  which  it  is  plain  our  Saviour  means,  the  soul 
keeping  close  company  with  himself.  This  Mary  did  :  she  sat  at 
his  feet  and  heard  his  word.  Every  thing  else  is  but  cumbering  work, 
compared  with  this ;  for  this  one  thing  comprizes  all  the  holiness, 
happiness  and  heavenly-mindedness  of  the  soul.  O  if  we  have  the 
presence  of  Jesus,  guilty  fears  vanish,  dejecting  doubts  are  scatter- 
ed, legal  terrors  are  silenced,  anxious  cares  subside,  strong  tempta- 
tions loose  their  force,  satan  is  resisted,  afflictions  sweetened,  tur- 
bulent passions  calmed,  raging  corruptions  subdued,  pride  is  brought 
down,  humility  is  excited,  peace  with  God  is  enjoyed,  holiness  pro- 
moted, the  fear  of  death  conquered,  the  terrors  of  hell  chased 
av/ay,  the  prospect  of  glory,  in  the  full  fruition  of  Jesus,  is  aspired 
after  and  longed  for,  earth  loses  its  charms,  heaven  is  in  the  heart, 
to  be  absent  from  the  body  and  present  with  the  Lord,  becomes  the 
one  desire  of  the  soul.  Say,  O  christian,  what  one  thing  else  can 
produce  so  many,  such  blessed  effects,  as  close  communion  with 
our  Saviour  ?  Is  not  this  then  the  one  thing,  above  all  others, 
needful  ?  Needful  at  all  times  and  in  all  seasons  ;  needful  in  the 
hour  of  prosperity  and  in  the  day  of  adversity.  O,  if  this  one 
thing  is  maintained  in  the  soul,  believer,  you  may  live  as  you  list, 
and  do  what  you  please ;  for  sweet  communion  with  Christ  ever 
subjects  the  will,  attracts  the  affections,  and  begets  holy  conformity 
to  him.  You  will  not  list,  you  cannot  like,  you  dare  not  follow  any 
thing  which  is  contrary  to  your  Lord,  while  you  live  near  him  and 
dwell  in  holy  fellowship  with  him.  Thus  religion  is  brought  to  a 
single  point  ;  holiness  and  happiness  resolved  into  one  thing;  there 
is  but  ONE  Lord,  to  make  you  holy  and  happy,  but  one  faith  by 
which  you  know  it,  and  cleave  to  him  for  this  ;  but  there  are  a 
thousand  things  to  prevent  this.  O  may  this  one  thing  needful  rise 
superior  to  all  1  Think,  O  my  soul,  of  Mary's  choice.  Remember 
thy  Saviour's  approbation  of  it.  O,  do  thou  also  choose  this  good 
part,  which  shall  never  be  taken  away. 

Where,  O  my  soul,  canst  thou  find       He  came  in  humble  form  to  bow, 
In  all  thy  troubles  great  ?        [peace,       To  thy  complaining  voice  : 

Christ's  word  can  only  bring  release  :    O  to  him  with  thy  burden  go, 
Sit  at  thy  Saviour's  feet,  His  words  hear  and  rejoice.       M. 

Vol.  II.  O  o 


298  OCTOBER  21. 

Then  said  Jonathaii  inilo  David,  Whatsoever  thy  soul  de- 
sireth,  I  zvill  even  do  it  for  thee....\  Sam.  xx.  4. 

Such  is  the  language  of  generous  love  and  sincere  friendship. 
There  never   was  a  greater  instance  of  it  subsisted  between  men, 
than   between  Jonathan  and  David.     Poor   David  Avas  in  great  dis- 
tress:  Saul  sought  his  life:   he  flies  to  his  friend  Jonathan,  opens 
his  whole   heart  to   him,  and  solemnly  assures  him,  "  as  thy  soill 
liveth,  there  is  but  one  step  between  me  and  death."     On   which, 
Jonathan  thus  declares  his  love  and  faithfulness,    "  Whatsoever  thy 
soul  desireth,  I  will  even  do  it  for  thee."     How  must  David's  heart 
be  struck  by  this  noble,  this   loving  premise!   O  christian,  here  is 
somewhat  very  similar  to  thine  own  case.     Consider,    1st.  There  is 
but  a  step  between  thee  and  death:   thou  knowest  not  hoAv  soon  thy 
last  step  is  to  be  taken.     What  friend  hast  thou  to  go  to?  Verily  the 
King's   Son:   the   Son  of  God.     As   Jonathan   signifies,  given  of 
THK  Lord  :   so  Jesus  is  the  gift  of  the  Lord,  to  be  a  friend  and  a 
Saviour  to  all  his  Davids,  to  all  his  beloved  people.     2d.   Great  as 
the  love,  sincere  as  the  friendship   of  Jonathan  was,    yet  the  love 
and  friendship  of  Jesus  infinitely  exceeds  it.     Jonathan  never  laid 
down  his  life  for  his  fiiend  David  :   Jesus  did  for  all  his  beloved ;  and 
he  gives  them  this  full  and  precious  promise,  "  Whatsoever  ye  ask 
in  my  name,  that  will  I  do. "....John  xiv.  13.     3d.     The  power  as 
well   as  the  love  of  our  heavenly  friend,  Jesus,  infinitely   exceeds 
Jonathan's ;  his   love   might  wish  to   do  that  for  David  which  his 
power  was  not  able  to  effect:   but  not  so  with  Christ  ;   his  power  is 
as  great  as  his  love,  and  neither  knows  measure  nor  end.     4th.  Was 
David  happy  in  having  such  a  friend,  in  Avhose  bosom  he  could  pour 
his  sorrows  and  upon  whose  love  he  could  trust  his  concerns?  Infi- 
nitely more  happy  art  thou,  O  christian,  thou  beloved  of  the  Lord. 
Does  thy  soul  desire  heaven  below  and  heaven  above  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  Christ?  "He  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all 
we  can  ask  or  think,  according  to  the  power  that  worketh  in  us.".... 
Eph.  iii.  20.     Blessed  be  the  day  I  ever  knew  this  beloved  friend. 
All  power  in   heaven  and   earth  is  committed  to  our  friend  Jesus. 
Seeing  this  is  so,   why  art  not  thou  constantly  happy  in  such  a  friend 
as  Christ  is  ?     Why,    1st.  You  entertain  base  suspicions  of  his  love, 
by   unbelief.     Therefore,  2d.   You   do  not   prove  his  love  and  his 
power,  by   coming  freely  to  him   and  telling  him  thy  sorrows,  as 
David  did  to  Jonathan  :  "  Ye  have  not,  because  ye  ask  not.".. ..James 


How  sweet  upon  our  Saviour's  love,      It  brings  down  comforts  from  above, 
Daily  to  meditate  ?  •  And  doth  to  heaven  translate.  M. 


OCTOBER  22.  299 

For  if  they  which  are  of  the  law  be  heirs,  faith  is  made 
void,  and  the  promise  made  of  none  effect.... B.om. 
iv.  14. 

Who  are  of  the  law?  The  openly  professed  Jew  only  ?  Nay, 
verily,  but  every  man  who  has  the  faith  and  hope  of  a  Jew,  he  is  of 
the  law.  What  is  their  faith  and  hope  ?  Every  man's  hope  is  of  the 
same  nature  as  his  faith.  A  Jew  believes  that  he  is  to  seek  for  righ- 
teousness and  life  by  the  works  of  the  law  ;  that  on  account  of  his 
obedience  to  it  he  hopes  he  shall  be  an  heir  of  life  and  glory.  Well, 
but  the  Jews  totally  reject  Christ,  says  one,  but  I  do  not.  I  believe 
Christ  died  for  the  siiis  of  the  whole  world  ;  that  I  am  justified  and 
pardoned  through  his  blood  now  ;  and  that  at  the  last  day  I  shall  be 
justified  and  entitled  to  God's  kingdom  for  the  sake  of  my  good 
works  :  that  there  is  first  a  justification  by  faith  and  a  second  justi- 
fication by  works.  Take  knowledge  of  thyself:  thou  art  of  the  law 
and  under  the  law,  and  cxpectest  to  be  an  heir  of  eternal  life  by  the 
law.  Whatever  thou  professest  of  faith  in  Christ,  it  is  not  the  faith 
of  the  gospel ;  it  does  not  own  Christ  the  Saviour.  This  is  a  perilous^ 
creature-exalting  notion:  it  degrades  grace  ;  it  debases  Christ;  it 
dwells  only  in  proud  hearts,  legal  minds,  and  self-righteous  spirits  ; 
it  aNyfully  prevails  in  our  day.  The  heirs  of  grace  should  oppose  it: 
for,  if  those  of  the  law  be  heirs  on  any  account  of  works,  what 
then  ?  Faith  is  made  void  ;  faith  fixes  upon  the  sole  work  of  the 
Son  of  God.  By  faith  we  become  joint-heirs  with  Christ,  enter  in 
and  possess  the  hope  of  eternal  life  :  we  are  in  actual  possession  of 
it.  Hence  we  are  filled  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing.  That 
soul,  who  is  striving  by  any  works  or  doings  of  his  own,  to  make 
himself  an  heir  of,  and  get  a  title  to  God's  kingdom,  he  sets  aside 
Christ  ;  he  makes  faith  void  :  he  is  so  far  under  the  law,  and  the 
PROMISE  IS  MADE  OF  NONK  EFFbCT.  Such  have  no  regard  to,  nor 
reliance  upon  it.  It  has  no  effect  upon  their  faith  and  hope  :  it  is 
not  their  object.  But  this  is  the  language  of  the  heirs  of  faith,  this 
the  confidence  of  their  hope,  this  the  joy  of  their  souls  ;  and  their 
faith,  and  hope,  and  joy,  are  founded  upon  the  immutable  promise 
of  a  faithful,  unchangeable  Jehovah  :  "  In  hope  of  eternal  life, 
which  God,  who  cannot  lie,  promised  before  the  world  began.".... 
Tit.  i.  2. 

Am  I  an  heir  of  life  thro*  faith  ?  The  gospel  grace  of  God's  dear  Son, 

To  Jesus  then  I'll  ever  cleave.  Brings  to  my  soul  a  better  hope. 

And  claim  the  precious  words  by  faith,  Than  works  of  law  which  1  have  done. 
To  wretched  sinners  who  believe.  Hence  Christ  and  Christ  alone's  my 

prop.  M. 


SOO  OCTOBER  23. 

Is  any  ikvig  too  hard  for  the  Lord  K... Gen.  xviii.  14. 

A  CLERcyMAN,  Went  to  read  prayers  on  a  working  day.  There 
was  but  one  person  in  the  church,  beside  himself  and  the  clerk: 
on  which  he  said  to  the  clerk,  as  there  is  nobody  else  here,  what 
signifies  my  reading  prayers?  Sir,  said  the  clerk,  is  not  God  present? 
O,  said  the  priest,  I  forgot  God.  Do  not  we  too  often  the  same  ? 
Is  it  not  hence  that  our  poor  minds  are  exercised  with  doubts,  fears 
and  distress.  This  question  the  Lord  put  to  Sarah,  when  an  unbe- 
coming laugh  of  incredulity  appeared,  and  this  unbelieving  speech 
dropt  from  her,  "  Shall  I  of  a  surety  bear  a  child  who  am  old  ?" 
O  the  long-suffering  kindness  !  the  condescending  goodness  of  our 
Lord  !  He  is  Jesus  the  Saviour  ;  for  instead  of  striking  her  dead  at 
his  fiet,  for  her  contempt  of  his  word,  he  mildly  reasons  with  her  : 
as  though  he  had  said,  Sarah,  look  not  at  yourself;  consult  not  flesh 
and  blood  ;  judge  not  according  to  nature,  reason  and  the  state  of 
things  ;  consider  the  promise,  look  at  the  promiser,  the  Lord  God 
omnipotent,  "  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?"  O  think  of  the 
love  of  an  incarnate  God  !  This  question  doubtless  broke  the  strong 
fetters  of  Sarah's  unbelief,  for  it  is  thus  recorded  of  her,  "  Through 
faith,  Sarah  received  strength  to  receive  seed,  and  was  delivered  of 
a  child  when  she  was  past  age,  because  she  judged  him  faithful, 
who  had  promised. "....Heb.  xi.  11.  Here  is  a  matter  brought  to 
pass  beyond  the  power  and  contrary  to  the  laws  of  nature.  But 
who  shall  set  bounds  to  the  God  of  nature  ?  O  soul,  whenever  thy 
mind  is  puzzled  with  any  mysterious  truth  of  God's  word,  solve  the 
difficulty  with  thy  Lord's  own  interrogation,  "  Is  any  thing  too  hard 
for  the  Lord  ?"  it  is  quite  sufficient  to  silence  all  thy  carnal  reason, 
quell  the  risings  of  unbelief,  and  cause  thee  to  leave  all  thy  hard 
matters  and  difficult  concerns  in  thy  Lord's  hand  :  never  forget 
his  everlasting  love:  never  doubt  his  almighty  power:  say,  thou, 
hast  a  hard  heart,  a  sea  of  corruptions,  a  storm  of  afflictions  and 
temptations,  potent  enemies,  strong  unbelief;  yea,  say,  thou  hast 
death  and  hell  to  conflict  with  :  yet  say  not  that  any  or  all  of  these 
are  too  strong  for  thy  Lord,  too  hard  for  him  to  support  thee  under 
and  save  thee  from.  O  then,  in  all  thy  straits,  difficulties  and  trials, 
never,  never  forget  thy  Lord's  question,  is  any  thing  too  hard  for 
the  Lord  ?  "  Remember  the  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  under- 
neath thee  are  his  everlasting  arms.  He  will  speak  destruction  to 
thy  foes,  and  salvation  to  thy  soul."....Deut.  xxxiii.  27. 

The  Lord  we  serve's  omnipotent,  Whene'er  strong  foes  do  us  assault, 

Let  faith  then  trust  his  pow'r,  And  sin  and  lust  do  rage, 

For  that's  engag'd  by  covenant,  Lord  keep  our  souls  from  ev'ry  fault, 

To  keep  us  ev'ry  hour.  For  us  do  thou  engage.              M. 


OCTOBER  .2.4.  301 

ThesalvafioH  of  the  righteous  is  of  the  Lord,  he  is  their 
strength  in  the  time  of  trouble.  ...Psalm  xxxvii.  39. 

We  may  say  of  righteousness,  as  Job  says  of  wisdom,  "  Where 
shall  righteousness  be  found  ?  And  -where  is  the  place  of  under- 
standing? Man  knoweth  not  the  price  thereof,  neither  is  it  to  be 
found  in  the  land  of  the  living.".. ..Job  xxviii.  12,  13.  The  patriarch 
says,  it  is  not  in  me.  The  prophet  says,  it  is  not  in  me.  The  apostle 
says,  i'  is  not  in  me.  The  Lord  saith,  "  All  flesh  hath  corrupted 
his  way. "....Gen.  vi.  12.  "  There  is  none  that  doth  good,  no  not 
ONE. "....Psalm  xiv.  3.  Why  then  do  the  scriptures  speak  so  much 
of  the  righteous,  if  there  are  no  such  persons  upon  earth?  Indeed 
there  are.  This  is  a  point  of  gfeat  importance :  the  Lord  settle  it  well 
in  your  heart  and  mine.  We  are  poor  sinners  in  ourselves ;  we  have 
no  righteousness  of  our  own  ;  yet,  saith  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  righ- 
teous one,  "Their  righteousness  is  of  me."....Isa.  liv.  17.  ^Ve  are 
made  the  righteousness  of  (iod  in  Christ....2  Cor.  v.  21.  When 
we  are  taught  this  by  the  Spirit  of  truth,  instead  of  looking  into  our- 
selves for  righteousness,  we  cry  out  in  the  joy  of  fnith,  1  have  found 
it:  "In  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness. "....Isa.  xlv.  24.  Then  wc 
have  a  living  union  with  the  Lord  our  righteousness,  by  faith  : 
being  perfectly  righteous  in  him,  we  have  righteous  hopes,  fears, 
desires,  a  righteous  walk,  and  righteous  expectations  ;  for  we  know, 
our  salvation  is  of  the  Lord.  The  Spirit  of  truth  does  not  leave  us 
to  the  unrighteous  notions  of  salvation  on  any  condition  of  our  own 
works,  duties  and  performances,  cither  in  whole  or  in  part ;  but  he 
shews  us  such  matchless  glory  in  our  Lord's  one  everlasting  righ- 
teousness, that  it  puts  us  at  once  both  out  of  conceit  with  our  own 
filthy  rags  and  of  any  dependance  on  them  for  salvation  :  the  Lord 
increase  our  faith  in  this  righteousness:  Lord  quicken  our  love  to 
thee  for  making  us  righteous.  So  neither  are  we  left  to  live  in  sin 
and  walk  in  sin  :  but  though  thus  righteous,  yet  sin  is  in  us,  there- 
fore we  have  our  troubles  :  many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous. 
Are  we  in  trouble  about  the  number  of  our  enemies,  the  greatness 
of  our  sins  and  corruptions,  the  weakness  of  our  graces,  the  strength 
of  our  temptations,  a  sense  of  desertion,  the  want  of  comfort,  peace 
and  joy  from  the  Lord  ?  These  are  righteous  troubles.  The  righ- 
teous Lord  is  our  strength  to  support  under  them  ;  he  has  power  to 
remove  them  :  he  neither  wants  strength  of  love  nor  ability  of 
power  to  save  us  from  them  ;  for  the  Lord  delivereth  the  "  righ- 
teous out  of  all  his  troubles. "....Psalm  xxxiv.  18. 

Salvation  is  a  joyful  theme,  Lord,   'tis   thine    own    most  glorious 

To  sinners  lost  aad  poor,  O  let  us  feel  its  pow'r.     M.     [scheme. 


30y  OCTOBER  25. 

The  son  of  man  came  not  to  he  ministered  unto,  but  to 
minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many.,.. 
Matt.  XX.  28. 
Most  gracious  words  to  me,  who  am  a  poor  sinner  and  have 
nodung  to  bring  to  Christ  but  an  empty  hand  to  receive  :  most  pre- 
cious* rarisom  fur  ME,  who  have  the  sentence  of  death  in  myself. 
May'fairh  be  high  and  self  jow  to-night !  The  poor  disciples  were 
now  wrangling' about  precedence  and  supremacy.  What  was  the 
consequence  ?  They  were  moved  with  indignation  :  they,  strangely 
forgot  the  end  of  Christ's  coming  and  the  nature  of  his  kingdom. 
Christ  knows  we  are  poor  as  beggars,  yet  proud  as  devils  :  the  very 
same  spirit  works  in  us  all,  as  it  did  in  them.  Lord  grant  that  the 
evil  which  occasioned  these  words  may  be  made  a  blessing  to  us. 
Consider,  1st.  Our  proud  notion  of  ministering  to  Christ.  Some 
indeed  did  minister  to  Christ  of  their  substance. ...Luke  viii.  2.  But 
this  was  of  natural  things.  Though  empty  of  all  good,  and  full  of 
all  evil,  yet  we  vainly  think  we  can  minister  something  to  Christ  of 
our  spiritual  substance  which  shall  be  available  towards  our  salva- 
tion. It  is  dreadful  to  have  both  pride  and  poverty  1  There  is  no 
character  so  despicable:  yet  it  is  ours.  But,  2d.  O  wondrous  love  ! 
Christ  came  to  minister  to  our  wants  and  quell  our  pride  ;  he  wants 
nothing  from  us  ;  he  bestows  all  upon  us  ;  he  gives  us  to  see  our 
poverty  ;  to  hide  pride  from  our  eyes  :  he  shews  us  our  misery, 
that  pride  may  not  destroy  us  ;  he  makes  us  feel  our  extreme  indi- 
gence, that  he  may  supply  us  out  of  his  fulness  ;  he  ministers  the 
grace  of  conviction  of  our  lost  and  helpless  state  in  ourselves,  that 
he  may  comfort  us  in  the  conversion  of  our  souls  to  himself.  But 
do  I  minister  nothing  to  Christ  for  salvation  ?  Poor  sinner,  thou 
hast  nothing  to  minister  but  a  sinful  body  and  a  sin-sick  soul.  Is  it 
so  ?  Art  thou  sensible  of  it  and  crying  to  him  under  it  ?  Then 
Christ  hath  indeed  ministered  his  Spirit  to  thee.  Here  is  glorious 
comfort  for  thee.  3d.  "  Christ  came  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for 
many,  even  for  all  that  the  Father  gave  him."... .John  vi.  39.  All 
such  are  known  of  God,  known  by  Christ,  and  they  too  may  know 
that  they  are  of  the  blessed  number  of  Christ's  ransomed  ones. 
How  ?  more  surely  than  if  they  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  telling 
them  so:  "  They  shall  come  unto  me."  There  is  the  most  sure 
evidence:  to  come,  sensible  that  we  have  nothing  to  minister  to 
Christ,  and  to  take  the  ransom  of  his  death  as  our  finished  salvation, 
this  is  the  faith  of  God's  elect.  All  such  were  gi\en  to  Christ,  and 
shall  eternally  reign  with  him.... Rom.  v.  17. 

To  minister  to  our  distress  Thus  came  the  Lord  our  righteousness, 

And  save  our  souls  from  hell:  With  love  unspeakable.  M. 


OCTOBER  26.  303 

Take  heed  and  bexvai'c  of  covetoimifss....Luke  xli.  15. 

It  is  said,  if  a  person  seeks  for  the  philosopher's  stone  (which 
turns  all  metals  into  gold)  with  a  covetous  desire  to  be  rich,  he  may 
be  sure  not  to  find  it.     We  are  sure  that  precious  jewel,  content,  is 
not  to  be  found  in  a  covetous  heart.     Let  philosophers  and  moralists 
reason  ever  so  persuasively  against  the  evil  of  covctousness,  yet  the 
love  of   money  will   rise   superior  to  all.     What  mighty  charms  is 
there  in  gold  !  But  the  voice  of  our  btloved  here  speaks  :   his  words 
are   spirit  and  life.     Hear  then,   O  disciple  ;     "  Take  heed  and  be- 
ware."    Consider,    1st.  This  admonition  of  thy  Lord's.     It   is  re- 
doubled :    "Take  heed;    beware."     Just   as   the   loving  parent, 
seeing  his  dear  child  running  into  the  jaws  of  danger,  cries  out  with 
vehemence,  take  care  1  take  care  1    Fix  this  in  thy  mind ;  there  is 
great,   very  great  danger  here  :  our  Lord  sees  it :   his  love  speaks 
with  the  utmost  earnestness,  that  we  may  avoid  covelousness.     2d. 
What  is  covetousness  ?  One  gave  a   good   definition  of  it.     Being 
persuaded  to  leave  off  business,  as  he  had  got  enough,  replied,  What 
is  enough  ?   It  is  a  little  more  than  a  man  has.     Consider,  od.  The 
evil  of  covetousness.     That  insatiable  desire  prevents  present  con- 
tent, destroys  thankfulness,  yea,  and  keeps  the  enjoyment  of  Christ 
out  of  the  heart.     Can  a  covetous  mind  be  happy  in  God  ?    No  ;  no 
more  than   Dives  could  be  happy  under  the  dreadful  circumstances 
of  Lazarus,  full  of  hunger  and  sores.     Will  any  one  ask,  What  harm 
is  there  in  the  love  of  riches,  and  coveting  of  them  ?  Paul  expressly 
answers,  "  A  covetous  man  is  an  idolater. "....Eph.  v.  5.     Is  there 
no  harm  in  that  ?  Our  Lord  says,  "  Seek  ye  first  (principally,  chicfiy, 
and  above  all  other  things)  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  all  these  things 
shall   be  added. "....Matt.  vi.  33.     Is   there   no   harm   in  reversing 
Christ's   command  ;    putting  a   slight   upon  his  kingdom  of  love, 
righteousness,  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost ;   so  as  to  prefer  rich- 
es before  it  ?   Soul,  consider,  What  is  your  piofession  ?   Are  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ  enough  to  satisfy  your  mind,  or  are  they 
not  ?  Can  enjoyment  of  fellowship   with  Christ  make  your  heart 
happy  or  not  ?   Have  you  faith   to   believe   this,  or  have  you  not  ? 
Does  Christ  here  caution  you  to  no  purpose,  where  there  is  no  dan- 
ger ?   O,  lay  this  to  heart :   cry  to  the  Lend.     Covetousness   is   na- 
tural to  us  :   lively  faith  in  Christ  will  kill  it  ;   for,   it  will  enable  the 
soul  to  say  with  Paul,  "  I  am  full  and  abound."....Phil.  iv.  18. 

Is  Christ  my  portion  and  my  store,  See,  see  the  thousands  who  now  run 

And  can't  1  be  content  ?  In  full  pursuit  of  gold. 

Beware  my  soul  to  covet  more,  They  gave  up  Christ,  and  very  soon 

Lest  Christ  from  thee  be  rent.  For  gold  their  God  they  sold.       M. 


304  OCTOBER  27. 

And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph,  now  lei  me  die,  since  I  have 
seen  thy  face,  because  thou  art  yet  alive.... Gen.  xlvi.30. 

Strange  request !  What,  just  come  to  the  sight  and  embrace 
of  thy  lons^  lost  son,  and  yet  want  to  leave  him  at  the  very  first  in- 
terview ?  One  would  have  thought  the  language  of  Jacob  should 
have  been,  Happy  man  1  I  not  only  see  my  beloved  son,  but  also  see 
him  governor  over  all  the  land  :  well,  1  hope  I  shall  live  long  to  en- 
joy his  riches  and  grandeur.  But  no  :  the  good  man  had  lived  long 
enough  to  make  an  estimate  of  the  uncertainties  of  life  ;  to  know 
the  evil  of  days,  the  vicissitudes  of  time,  and  how  soon  the  day  of 
brilliant  joy  might  be  changed  into  an  eclipse  of  gloom  and  sadness. 
The  sight  of  his  son  was  the  summit  of  his  wishes  :  that  granted, 
he  sought  no  more  ;  he  wished  to  be  at  home  with  his  Lord.  Happy 
christian,  thus  to  set  loose  to  all  creature  enjoyments,  even  when 
there  is  the  highest  flood  of  them,  then  to  have  one's  mind  go  out 
in  longings  after  the  heavenly  world  ;  this  bespeaks  the  spirituality 
of  the  affections.  Many  have  manfully  withstood  the  frowns  of  the 
world  ;  but  its  smiles  have  caressed,  inchanted  and  hugged  them  to 
death.  To  choose  death,  to  be  with  Jesus,  when  all  things  around 
are  inviting  and  engaging,  shews  that  Christ  has  the  supreme  affec- 
tions of  our  hearts.  Here  see  the  nature  of  christian  faith.  1st. 
It  confesseth  that  Christ  is  come  in  the  flesh  :  that  though  he  was 
dead,  yet  he  is  alive  for  evermore,  and  hath  the  keys  of  hell  and 
death  :  and  that  he  has  opened  the  kingdom  of  heaven  to  all  be- 
lievers. Therefore,  id.  As  truly  as  Israel  rejoiced  to  see  his  be- 
loved son,  and  could  depart  in  peace,  so  the  believer  rejoices  at  the 
sight  of  Christ  by  faith.  A  living  Christ  is  the  glory  of  a  believer's 
soul.  He  can  die  easy,  peaceful  and  comfortable,  viewing  the  death 
of  Christ  for  his  sins  and  the  life  of  Christ  for  his  justification,  and 
the  intercession  of  Christ,  prevailing  for  his  eternal  glorification. 
And  this  faith  is  somewhat  more  than  a  notion  in  the  head,  for, 
Sd.  It  brings  victory  into  the  heart.  "  For  this  is  the  victory  that 
©vercbmeth  the  world,  even  our  faith:  Who  is  he  that  overcom- 
eth  the  world,  but  he  that  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  Cod?" 
....1  John  V.  4,  5.  It  is  impossible  to  overcome  the  world  any  other 
way  than  by  seeing  greater  glory  and  happiness  in  the  Son  of  God 
than  this  world  can  bestow  :  but  by  faith  we  do  ;  therefore  we  ex- 
change shadows  for  substance,  bawbles  for  jewels.  O,  rest  not  in  a 
dead  faith,  which  brings  not  the  glory  of  Christ  into  the  heart  and 
brings  no  glory  to  Christ  in  the  life. 

Lord,  having  seen  by  faith  thy  face      O  may  I  long  thee  to  embrace, 
And  felt  thy  precious  love  :  la  thy  bright  ccurt  above.  M. 


OCTOBER  28.  305 

Lest  Israel  vaunt  themselves  against  vie,  saying.  Mine 
own  hand  hath  saved  me....Judg.  vii.  2. 

Thus  the  Lord  reasoned  with  Gideon  :  he  knows  what  is  in 
man :  he  sees  the  pride  of  the  human  heart,  how  prone  we  all  are 
to  boast  in  an  arm  of  flesh.  The  Lord  is  jealous  of  his  own  glory. 
Gideon's  army  of  two  and  thirty  thousand  is  brought  down  to  three 
hundred  :  by  this  handful  of  men,  and  no  more,  did  Gideon  gain 
the  victory  over  the  Midianites.  The  Lord's  wisdom  in  this  was, 
"  lest  Israel  should  vaunt  themselves,  and  say,  mine  own  hand  hath 
saved  me."  But  I  have  not  transcribed  the  text  right.  There  are 
two  little  words,  of  great  import,  which  I  have  omitted.  Mind  them, 
O  christian  :  against  me.  Now  remember,  whenever  thou  dost 
boast  of  thy  power,  thy  free-will,  thy  human  goodness,  thy  works, 
duties,  conditions  and  performances  in  order  to  be  saved,  thou  art 
then  as  it  were  two  and  thirty  thousand  strong  :  thou  vauntest  thy- 
self AGAINST  THE  LoRD:  thou  art  glorying  in  thine  own  arm  of 
might  and  power  to  save  thyself,  in  some  measure  or  degree.  Thou 
art  trusting  to  thy  works,  to  save  thee  in  whole  or  in  part.  Be  as- 
sured thy  Lord  will  bring  thee  down,  and  weaken  thy  numbers,  that 
he  may  have  the  sole  glory  of  thy  heart  for  saving  thee.  1st.  The 
Lord  proclaimed,  that  all  who  were  afraid  should  depart.  Two 
and  twenty  thousand  returned.  So  he  will  proclaim  the  terrors  of 
his  just,  holy  and  righteous  law  in  thine  ears,  and  ca\ise  thy  heart 
to  tremble.  Then  shalt  thou  get  rid  of  a  deal  of  thy  self-righteous 
confidence  :  it  shall  depart  from  thee.  2d.  He  brought  the  people 
down  to  the  water  and  tried  them  by  lapping.  Here  also  he  reduced 
their  numbers,  to  prevent  their  vaunting.  So  he  will  try  thee  by 
lapping  the  waters  of  affliction.  Here  he  will  cut  off  the  strength 
of  thy  vain  confidence  and  prevent  thy  vaunting  thyself  against 
him.  Thus  when  thou  findest  the  commandment  come  with  power, 
and  sin  revive,  then  wilt  thou  die  to  self-confidence  and  glory  alone 
in  the  Lord.  When  the  pruning-knife  of  affliction  has  cut  off  thy 
luxurious  branches  of  pride  and  vain  glory,  then  wilt  thou  say  in 
deep  humility,  wretch  that  I  am,  that  I  should  trust  in  myself  and 
depart  in  heart  from  the  Lord.  I  thank  thee,  my  dear  Saviour,  for 
all  the  pains  thou  takest  with  my  proud  nature,  to  bring  me  to  glory 
only  in  thee,  and  to  say,  "In  God  is  my  salvation  and  my  glory.".... 
Psalm  Ixii.  7. 

I'll  trust  my  Saviour's  work  alone  Tho'  poor,  alas!  I'm  full  of  pride. 

To  justify  and  save  :  And  prone  to  vaunt  of  pow'r  : 

No  grace  in  me,  nor  work;  I've  done,  Lord,  hnmble,  that  I  may  confide 
The  smallest  share  can  have.  In  ihee  alone  each  hour.  M. 

Vol.  IL  P  p 


306  OCTOBER  29. 

IVisdimi  is  justified  of  all  her  children.... Luke  vii.  o5. . 

"O  coui.D  I  but  know  and  be  sure  I  am  a  cbild  of  God,  I  should 
be  quite  happy :  the  want  of  this  makes  me  very  uncomfortable." 
Such  is  the  language  of  many  a  doubting  believer.  Well,  soul, 
here  is  a  mark  laid  down  :  by  it  judge  of  thyself  and  know  thy  state. 
Art  thou  a  child  of  wisdom?  If  so,  thou  wilt  justify  wisdom.  But 
who  is  wisdom?  What  is  it  to  justify  wisdom  ?  1st.  Thy  Saviour 
is  "the  wisdom  of  God."... .1  Cor.  i.  21.  He  is  not  only  wise  to 
■win  souls,  but  is  wisdom  itself  :  he  makes  all  his  children  wise  unto 
salvation,  by  knowing  him,  "  of  God,  made  unto  them  wisdom.".... 
1  Cor.  1.  30.  Wisdom  is  here  arraigned  and  his  ways  censured  by 
the  calumny  of  fools  :  he  is  condemned  as  a  licentious  person,  a  sot, 
an  epicure,  a  jovial  friend  and  companion  of  wicked  sinners.  If  you 
are  a  child  of  wisdom,  you  will  also  meet  with  the  same  treatment 
from  a  carnal  world  and  self-righteous  men.  If  you  dare  openly 
confess  salvation  by  the  Son  of  God  alone ;  free  and  full  justification 
unto  eternal  life,  by  his  blood  and  righteousness  only,  without 
your  works  contributing  thereto,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  you  will 
be  condemned  as  a  licentious  Antinomian.  Both  the  profane  and 
self-righteous  will  unite  to  proclaim  you  a  friend  to  sin  and  an  enemy 
to  all  good  works.  Why  ?  Because  their  carnal  hearts  were  never 
under  the  constraints  of  Christ's  love:  their  licentious  thoughts  were 
never  brought  into  captivity  to  the  obedience  of  Christ:  therefore  their 
lips. proclaims  their  ignorance,  while  they  are  opened  against  his 
truths.  Now  you  are  called  to  justify  wisdom,  who  has  justified 
you.  2d.  How  is  this  to  be  done?  1st.  Hold  fast  wisdom's  truths  in 
your  hearts,  as  your  chief  glory,  in  opposition  to  all  gain-sayers.  So, 
2d.  From  a  warm  and  lively  sense  of  comfort  by  them,  your  lives  will 
justify  their  holy  influence :  you  will  loudly  proclaim  to  all  the  world, 
that  though  you  dare  not  attempt  a  single  act  to  justify  your  soul  be- 
fore God,  yet  you  dare  not  continue  in  sin,  because  grace  hath 
abounded.  Your  holy  faith  forbids  it:  the  heavenly  love  of  Christ 
animates  to  all  holy  obedience:  your  glorious  hope  in  Christ  makes 
you  ready  and  obedient  unto  every  good  word  and  work  ;  for  the 
grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation  to  the  soul,  teaches  all  the 
children  of  wisdom  "  to  deny  all  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and 
to  live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly,  in  this  present  world.".... 
Tit.  ii.  12.  Thus  we  know  we  have  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  and 
are  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus....Gal.  iii.  26. 

I  know  my  sonl  is  made  alive  For  sin  I  hate,  against  it  strive, 

By  Jesu'i.  mighty  pow'r,  And  pray  to  love  Christ  more.     M. 


OCTOBER  30.  307 

Giving  all  diligence  to  add  to  your  faith,  S(c. .  ..2  Pet.  i.  5. 

Here  is  the  christian's  work  :  all  diligence  is  required  in  it. 
O  believer,  be  assured  (the  Lord  impress  it  upon  your  heart  and 
mine)  there  is  no  being  a  lively,  comfortable  disciple,  without  it. 
Bey/are  you  do  not  add  to  your  faith  licentious  notions  and  Anlino- 
njii^n  sloth,  instead  of  christian  virtues,  holy  tempers,  and  heavenly 
affections,  which  adorn  our  profession  and  glorify  our  Saviour.  Ever 
remember,  you  are  called  to  honor  Christ  by  your  life  on  earth,  as 
well  as  to  be  saved  by,  and  enjoy  him  in  heaven.  By  faith  we  re- 
ceive Christ,  rest  upon  him,  and  look  to  him  alone  for  justification 
unto  eternal  life.  But  a  lively  faith  will  not  leave  us  barren  and 
unfruitful  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  If  there  is 
not  an  habitual  disposition  of  soul,  to  add  to  our  faith  virtue,  know- 
ledge, patience,  godliness,  £cc.  we  should  examine  and  see  to  it,  lest 
instead  of  Christ  dwelling  in  our  hearts  by  faith,  we  have  only  a  no- 
tion which  floats  in  our  heads.  If  so,  this  M'ill  only  make  us  idle 
talkers,  but  not  diligent  workers  and  holy  walkers.  That  we  are 
poor  sinners,  justified  and  saved  by  Christ  only,  is  a  truth  which  is 
ever  to  be  held  fast  in  the  conscience.  We  can  add  nothing  to 
Christ's  work.  To  attempt  to  do  any  thing  towards  our  own  justifi- 
cation before  God,  is  the  basest  act  of  unbelief.  But  faith  is  the 
queen  of  graces  ;  she  lives  upon  the  King  of  saints  ;  she  will  have 
a  noble  retinue  to  attend  her.  Let  us  never  desire  to  get  beyond 
this  blessed  rule  of  addition  :  let  us  never  substhact  from  it: 
let  us  give  all  diligence  to  multiply  more  and  more.  Are  we  got 
into  the  rule  of  three  ?  Do  we  know  the  love  of  the  Three  One 
Cod  ?  The  everlasting  love  of  God  the  Father  :  the  redeeming  love 
of  God  the  Son  :  the  sanctifying  love  of  God  the  Holy  Ghost  i  Still 
Ave  must  never  leave  the  rule  of  addition  :  add  to  your  faith  ;  but 
go  on  to  all  diligence  in  practice.  Christ  hath  taught  it :  faith 
enjoins  it :  love  constrains  to  it :  Christ's  honor  and  glory  demand 
it.  But  beware  of  getting  into  fraction,  as  though  any  thing  you 
do  gives  you  a  title  to  glory.  But  see  hence,  the  glory  and  spiritual- 
ity of  the  gospel,  and  the  reason  why  the  belief  of  it  is  called,  "  our 
most  holy  faith.".. .Jude,  20.  We  are  called  by  the  faith  of  Christ 
to  glorify  Ciod,  by  adding  an  obedient  life  to  our  most  holy  faith  : 
this  is  our  way  in  Christ  ;  walk  in  it,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your 
souls  from  Christ.. .Jer.  vi.  16. 

Add  to  rny  faith  !  the  sluggard  smiles  :  Dear  Lord,  stir  up  to  diligence, 
"  I  want  no  more  than  Christ :"  To  walk  in  all  thy  ways  : 

But  him  you  want,  for  sin  beguiles,       O,  arm  my  soul  wich  vigilance. 

His  truth  you  do  resist.  Which  thou  hast  sav'ii  by  grace.  M. 


SOS  OCTOBER  31. 

He  that  lacketh  these  things  is  blind,  ajid  cannot  see  far 
of,  and  hath  forgotten  that  he  ivas  pinged  from  his 
old  sins.... 2  Pet.  \.  9. 

It  is  hard  to  say  whether  Peter  here  draws  the  character  of  a 
mere  formal  piofessor,  or  of  one  who  has  really  tasted  that  the  Lord 
is  gracious,  and  has  awfully  backslidden  :  be  it  which  it  may,  it 
holds  forth  a  solemn  lesson  of  instruction  to  our  souls.  We  may 
hence  lay  this  down  as  a  sacred  truth,  that  whatever  profession  a 
man  makes  of  faith  in  Christ,  justification  by  him,  hope  of  salvation 
through  him  ;  yet  if  he  is  destitute  of  the  graces  of  the  Spirit  and  the 
fruits  of  righteousness  in  his  life,  he  is  blind  to  the  glorious  end  of 
the  gospel  of  peace,  and  is  a  stranger  to  the  purifying  grace  and  par- 
doning love  of  Christ  to  his  soul.  Think  of  this.  Pardoning  love, 
purifying  grace,  and  sanctifying  influences  are  inseparable.  Where 
there  is  the  root  of  grace,  there  will  be  the  fruits  of  righteousness  : 
this  is  as  natural  as  for  any  cause  to  produce  its  effects.  But  may 
not  these  words  be  accommodated  to  some  whom  we  have  good  rea- 
son to  hope  arc  the  children  of  God,  but  are  sadly  backslidden  from 
him?  Do  we  not  see  awful  instances  around  us?  1st.  He  who 
lacketh  these  things,  as  virtue,  knowledge,  temperance,  godliness, 
£cc.  (not  totally,  for  there  may  be  a  partial  lack  of  them)  has  sadly 
departed  from  the  stedfastness  of  faith  and  that  degree  of  liveliness 
he  once  had,  has  left  his  first  love,  and  has  lost  the  sweet  savour  of 
Christ  from  his  heart  :  hence  there  is  a  lack,  in  not  abounding  in 
these  things.  There  may  be  true  faith  and  yet  somewhat  lacking 
init....  1  Thess.  iii.  10.  But  such  a  soul  is  in  sorrow,  concern  and 
distress  about  it :  so  the  life  of  grace  manifests  that  it  is  not  quite  ex- 
tinct. 2d.  He  is  blind.  Not  totally  so,  for  he  may  see,  but  not  far 
off:  he  only  sees  himself  and  his  own  misery  and  unprofitableness  : 
this  causes  him  to  weep  and  bewail  himself.  But  he  cannot  sec,  he 
does  not  enjoy  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the  SAveet  peace  of  God  :  his 
sight  is  dimmed  and  his  comforts  marred.  3d.  He  hath  forgotten 
that  he  was  purged  from  his  old  sins  :  he  has  lost  the  sense  of  par- 
don in  the  blood  of  Christ  :  though  he  remembers  there  is  such  a 
thing,  yet  he  has  lost  the  comfort  of  it ;  it  is  to  him,  as  though  it 
had  never  been.  Satan  has  obtained  the  advantage.  So  false  pro- 
phets seek  *'  to  cause  my  people  to  forget  my  name,  saith  the  Lord." 
....Jer.  xxiii.  27.  That  is,  the  pardon  and  comfort  of  his  name. 
Is  not  this  an  awful  state  ?  O  how  much  to  be  deplored  I  how  greatly 
to  be  deprecated  I 

Ten  thousand  snares  our  souls  surround  With  watchful  care  we  shou'd  abound, 
To  blind  and  to  deceive,  Lest  wc  God's  Spirit  grieve. 


NOVEMBER  1.  S09 

So  an  entrance  shall  be  ministered  inito  you  nbundanfli/, 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
....2  Pet.  i.  II. 

Our  lastmeditatiou  was  gloom  and  sadness  :  here  the  sun  of 
comfort  arises  and  sheds  splendor,  glory  and  joy  upon  us.  O  that 
v/e  may  this  night  enter  by  faith  into  the  joy  of  our  Lord.  Come, 
christian,  it  seems  you  and  I  must  tarry  a  little  longer  on  earth,  ab- 
sent from  our  Lord.  How  shall  we  employ  ourselves  ?  In  studying 
the  word  of  his  grace  ;  in  being  diligent  in  the  use  of  means  ;  in 
exercising  ourselves  unto  godliness.  What  then  ?  O  blessed  as- 
surance !  So  an  entrance  sliall  be  ministered  unto  us  abundantly. 
When  ?  Both  in  life  and  in  death.  1st.  In  life.  We  shall  find  a 
free  and  open  door  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ's  grace,  love  and 
peace,  even  now  :  we  shall  have  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the 
peace  of  God  wliich  passelh  all  understanding  in  our  hearts.  Thus 
with  the  full  sail  of  assurance  and  the  rapid  tide  of  heavenly  conso- 
lation, we  shall  sweetly  and  swiftly  sail  the  voyage  of  life.  All  is 
enjoyed  in  being  diligent  in  the  ways  of  Christ.  Diligence  !  Work- 
ing !  Labouring!  8cc.  Why,  say  some,  all  this  is  the  very  dregs  of 
legality.  Ay,  so  it  would,  if  we  had  not  the  faith  of  Christ  in  our 
hearts,  love  to  Christ  in  our  souls,  and  the  glory  of  Christ,  who  has 
fully  justified  and  eternally  saved  us,  in  our  view.  Soul,  thus  press 
on  :  mind  not  the  satanic  grin  nor  licentious  sneer  of  carnal  pro- 
fessors, nor  of  legal  gospellers.  Legal  to  live  and  labor  in  the  king- 
dom of  love  ?  O  fools  1  say,  did  you  ever  expect  to  enter  your  Lord's 
kingdom  any  other  way  than  by  Christ,  who  is  the  door  ?  Do  you 
expect  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  his  love  and  the  assurance  of  his 
favor  in  a  walk  and  way  contrary  to  his  word  and  will  ?  Are  we  not 
to  walk  in  Christ,  aboumsling  in  the  work  of  faith,  the  patience  of 
hope,  and  the  labour  of  love  ?  Diligence  of  soul  to  enjoy  his  presence 
and  to  be  conformed  to  his  image  is  our  delight  below.  To  have 
every  holy  temper  and  heavenly  disposition  from  Christ,  puts  the 
soul  into  a  right  frame  to  enjoy  him  :  this  is  to  have  a  constant 
and  an  abundant  entrance  ministered  to  us,  into  the  kingdom  of 
Christ.  So  living  and  abiding  in  his  kingdom  of  grace  and  lore,  our 
souls  grow  dead  to  the  kingdom  of  this  world.  We  rejoice  to 
think,  2d.  Of  an  entrance  into  Christ's  kingdom  being  abundantly 
administered  to  us  at  death.  Fellowship  with  Christ,  and  diligence 
in  his  ways,  makes  us  think  of  death  with  pleasure  and  familiarizes 
it  to  our  minds  with  joy.  By  faith  we  see  heaven  open  to  admit  us, 
God  our  Father  with  open  arms  to  embrace  us,  Christ  to  welcome 
us,  and  the  Spirit  to  enable  us  to  sing  victory  in  death. 


310  NOVEMBER  2. 

Death  is  yours.... \  Co?-,  iii.  22. 

''O  DEATH,  how  bitter  is  the  remembrance  of  thee  to  a  man  who 
is  at  rest  in  his  possessions  ;  unto  the  man  who  hath  nothing  to  vex 
him  ;  and  who  hath  prosperity  in  all  things  1"  O  death,  how  sweet 
is  the  remembrance  of  thee  to  a  man  who  is  alive  to  God,  dead  to  the 
■world:  who  longs  to  be  absent  from  the  body  and  present  with  the 
Lord  ;  to  see  the  glory  of  Jesus,  and  to  reign  eternally  with  him  ! 
Christian,  here  is  a  precious  legacy  left  thee  by  the  Lord  :  a  co- 
venant-gift from  the  God  of  thy  salvation  :  "  Death  is  yours."  He 
is  your  conquered  enemy:  your  faithful  friend.  1st.  Your  con- 
quered enemy  :  you  need  not  fear  him  :  he  has  neither  strength 
nor  sting.  Christ,  the  victorious  captain  of  your  salvation,  has  dis- 
armed him  of  both  :  he  can  neither  destroy  nor  wound  your  soul : 
yea,  "  he  hath  abolished  death.". ...2  Tim.  i.  10.  There  is  no  sub- 
stance in  him  ;  he  is  changed  into  a  shadow.  It  is  not  the  enemy 
death  which  seizes  a  believer,  but  the  shadow,  or  emblem  of  it, 
SLEEP.  Weary  soul,  tired  out  with  the  burden  of  sin,  lusts,  cor- 
ruptions, afflictions,  accusations,  temptations,  Sec.  Is  sleep  an  enemy 
to  you  ?  Do  you  dread  sleep  ?  Are  you  afraid  of  rest  ?  What !  feat 
to  fall  asleep  in  Jesus,  to  awake  in  his  presence,  to  be  satisfied  with 
perfect  likeness  to  him  and  eternally  enjoy  him  ?  O  fools,  and  slow 
of  heart  to  believe  the  victory  of  Christ  over  death  1  And  thou  too, 
O  my  soul,  take  the  rebuke  to  thyself,  and  be  ashamed  of  thy  folly. 
But  I  am  not  afraid  of  death,  but  of  dying  !  Why  afraid  of  sleeping  ? 
O  !  for  the  insupportable  pains  of  the  body  in  that  hour.  Who 
lold  you  they  are  insupportable  ?  How  many  have  sweetly  sung, 
VICTORY  IN  DEATH  ?  O,  says  onc,  is  this  dying  ?  O,  it  is  svreet,  it  is 
pleasant  :  "  Though  I  pass  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  thou  shalt  be  with  me."  That  is  the  claim  of  faith,  upon  the 
warrant  of  the  Lord  ;  '•  When  thou  passest  through  the  waters  I 
WILL  be  with  thee."....Isa.  xliii.  2.  The  presence  of  the  Saviour 
will  beguile  all  thy  pains  and  fill  thy  soul  with  comfort.  For,  2d. 
Death  is  thy  ftiithful  friend.  Hast  thou  not  found  sleep  so  to  thy 
weary  body?  Just  so,  and  no  more,  is  death  to  thy  weary  soul :  it 
will  at  once  deliver  thee  from  all  thy  burdens  and  sorrows,  and  in- 
troduce thee  into  joys  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  Death,  is  that, 
and  no  more  to  the  soul,  than  what  God  calls  it  in  his  word,  and 
faith  makes  it  to  the  heart.  If  you  do  really  and  truly  believe  that 
death  is  swallowed  up  in  the  victory  of  Christ :  if  you  firmly  believe 
his  precious  blood  has  atoned  for  sin,  and  his  righteous  life  has  ful- 
filled the  law,  you  may  undauntedly  sing,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy 
stin-.'  ?   O  t^;ave,  where  is  thy  victory  r" 


NOVEMBER  S.       .   -  Sli 

If  thou  lift  up  thy  tool  upon  it,  thou  hast  polluted  it.... 
Exod.  XX.  25. 

This   chapter   abounds   with   legal  terror.     Here  the  glorious 
Jehovah  is  giving  the  law  with  thunderings  and  lightnings,  and  the 
noise  of  a  trumpet.. ..the  mountain  smoking.. ..poor  sinners  trembling 
and  fleeing,   saying,    "  Let  not  God   speak  with   us,   lest  we  die." 
Most  awfully  tremendous  1   Well  might  Paul   call  it,   "  the  minis- 
tration of  death  and  condemnation."....2  Cor.  iii.  7,  9.     But  blessed, 
blessed  be  God,  it  contains  precious  gospel-grace  to  law-condemned 
sinners.     Hear :  rejoice  and  say,  let  God  speak  and  we   live  ;  for 
here  is  an  altar  commanded  :   God  is   accessible  to  us  :     "  An  altar 
of  earth  thou  shalt   make  unto  me."     Here  is  gospel-grace.     That 
beloved  Son  typified,  who  was  made  like  unto  us,  and  appeared  in 
our  F.ARTHLY  uature.     Thou  shalt  offer  thy  burnt-offerings  and  thy 
peace-offerings  upon  it :    "  Our  God  is  a  consuming  fire."....Heb. 
xii.  29.     Yet,  "  wc  have  an  altar.". ...Heb.  xiii.    10.     Christ  is  both 
our  altar,  our  burnt-sacrifice,  our  peace-offering,  and  our  priest :    in 
him,  God  is'  ever  accessible  to  us,  and  we  ever  acceptable  to  him. 
We  lay^hold  of  the  horns  of  this  altar  :  this  is  our  refuge  from  a 
fiery- law  and  inexorable  justice  :  "There,   says  God,   I  will  come 
unto  thee  and  bless  thee.     Blessed  be  our  God  and  Father,  who  hath 
blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ.".. ..Eph.  i.  3.    "  If 
thou  Avilt  make  me  an  altar  of  stone,    it  shall  not  be  hewn."     See 
again,  the  dear  Mediator  shadowed  forth  :   "  That  stone  which  was 
cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands. "....Dan.  ii.  45.     O  how  sweet 
to  see  our  beloved  in  every  line  of  revelation  !   Well  might  he  say, 
*'  Search  the   scriptures  :  they  testify   of  me.".. ..John  v.  39.     "  If 
thou  lift  up  thy  tool  upon  it,  thou  hast  polluted  it."     What  can  this 
mean  ?   To  forbid  thy  pride  and  arrogance.     Though  thou  art  a  law- 
condemned  sinner,   yet  pride  and  vanity   work  in  thee.     We  are 
prone  to  think  by   our  works,  our   art,   our   device,  we  are  to  add 
something  of  our  own  to  this  altar,  to  render  our  souls  acceptable  to 
God :  but  this  is  to  pollute  the  altar,  Christ  Jesus.     This,  the  foolish, 
bewitched  Galatians  did.     So  some  are  said   to  crucify   the   Lord 
afresh.     O  beware  of  this  spiritual  pollution  of  the  blessed  altar, 
Christ.     Know,  we  are  perfectly  and  everlastingly  accepted  in  him, 
without  any   work  of  our  ov.'n.     Believe  this  :   obey  God  :   glorify 
him.     Does  the  law  convince  of  sin  and  cut  us  off  from  all  hope  in 
ourselves  ?  This  blessed  altar  is  of  itself  all-sufficient  to  fill  us  with 
all  hope,  joy  and  peace  ;  for  this  typifies  that  new  and  living  way 
which  Christ  hath  consecrated  for  us,  through  the   vail  of  his  flesh, 
to  draw  nigh  unto  God.. ..Heb.  x.  20. 


312  NOVEMBER  4. 

JFe  believe  and  are  sure. ...John  vi.  69. 

IIf.p.k  is  both  faith  and  assurance.     I  Mish  to  tlie  Lord  I  had 
them,  is  the  language   of  many  a  doubting  heart,   while  they  have 
both  this  very  faith  and  assurance.     This  assurance  is  of  the  essence 
of  faith  ;   without  it   faith   has   no  existence.     Consider,   1st.  The 
nature  of  this  faith  and  assurance  :  "  We  believe  and  are  sure." 
Of  what  ?   That  their  names  were  w  ritten  in  heaven,  that  they  were 
sure  they  were  the  elect  of  God  I  No  :   but  says  Peter  to  our  Lord, 
*'  We  believe,  and  are  sure,  that  thou  art  Christ  the  Son  of  the  liv- 
ing God,  and  that  thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life."     Their  minds 
were  as  sure  of  this  truth  as  of  their  existence  ;   so  must  ours  at  all 
limes  and  under  all  circumstances.     But  is  this  faith  and  assurance  ? 
Then,  blessed  be  God,  I  am  a  partaker  of  both  :   I  do  believe,  I  am 
sure  that  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  and  that  he,  and  he  alone  has  the 
words  of  eternal  life  ;  but  I  want  to  be  sure  of  my  own  interest  in 
the  Son  of  God.     Bless  the  Spirit  for  revealing  Christ  in  the  word, 
and  revealing  him  in  thine  heart  according  to  the  word.     Go  on  with 
thy  present  blessed  faith  and  assurance.     It  will  make  Christ  pre-- 
cious  to  thy  soul :   it  will  cause  thy  soul  to  cleave  to  him  :  thou  wilt 
say,  "  None  but  Christ."     In  due  time  the  Spirit  will  fully  manifest 
thy  interest  in  his  love  and  salvation.     2d.  Consider  the  blessedness 
of  this  faith  and  assurance  :  it  was  for  want  of  this  "  many  disciples 
went  back  and  walked  no   more  with  Christ.".. ..John  vi.  66.     It  is 
by  believing  and  being  sure  that  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  and  that 
he  has  the  words  of  eternal  life,  that  causes  any  poor  sinner  to  fol- 
low him,  to  cleave  to  him,  to  call  upon  him,  to  hope  in  him,  and  to 
expect  all  salvation   from   him.     Little  as  some  may  think  of  this 
faith,  low  as  some  may  rate  this  assurance,  yet  our  Lord  honors  it : 
he  pronounces  Peter  blessed  for  it :   he  does  not  say,   I  believe  and 
am  sure  that  I  am  a  child  of  God,  and  that  my  sins  are  forgiven  ; 
but,  "  Thou  art  Christ  the  Son  of  the  living  God."     What 
snys  our  Lord  to  this  ?    "  Blessed  art  thou  :   for  flesh  and  blood 
hath  not  revealed  this  unto  thee,  but  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 
....Matt.  xvi.  \7.     Rejoice,  O  believing  soul !  thou  hast  a  revelation 
from  God  thy  heavenly  Father,  even  whilst  thou  art  doubting.     All 
thy  salvation  depends  on  this  truth  ;  all  thy  comfort  results  from  be- 
lief and  assurance  of  it.     The  more  steadily  and  confidently  you  be- 
lieve and  hold  this  truth  in  your  conscience,  the  more  solid  peace, 
holy  comfort  and  heavenly  joy. 

My  soul,  beware,  despise  not  faith,       It  honors  God,  trusts  what  hesaith, 
It  is  a  precious  gift  :  Tho'  comfort  comes  not  swift.    M. 


NOVEMBER  5.  313 

Therefore  I  will  look  unto  the  Lord  :  I  zvill  ivaitfor  the 
God  of  my  salvation  :  My  God  will  hear  me. . . .  JMicah 
vii.  7. 
Here  is  a  soul  crying  out  of  the  very  ^vorst  of  foes  :  "  A  man's 
enemies  are  the  men  of  his  own  house."  Under  such  experience, 
behold  and  imitate  the  conduct  before  us.  Here  are  two  acts  of  the 
mind,  and  the  cry  of  faith.  1st.  I  will  look.  The  Lord  is  the 
object  looked  to.  Blessed  be  the  Spirit,  he  opens  our  eyes  to  see 
him,  and  our  hearts  to  believe  his  love  to  us  and  care  for  us  :  then 
we  know  the  voice  of  Christ  and  obey  it.  He  says,  "  Look  unto  me, 
and  be  ye  saved.".... Isa.  xlv.  22.  Whenever  distressed  with  ene- 
mies from  within  or  without,  sin,  satan  or  the  world,  here  is  our  war- 
rant, to  look  unto  the  Lord.  He  assures  us  of  salvation  from  them. 
We.  shall  find  and  feel  these  enemies  to  the  end  of  life.  Therefore, 
looking  unto  the  Lord,  is  to  be  the  constant  work  of  life.  O  the 
special  mercy  to  have  such  a  Lord  to  look  to  !  Shame  to  us  that  Ave 
look  no  more  to  him  :  happy  for  us  when  we  do  look  to  him  only. 
•Wevare  sure  of  comfort  from  him,  and  safety  by  him  from  all  the 
.J)ibtver,  malice,  and  fraud  of  every  enemy.  But  I  see  enemies  beset 
She  :  I  am  not  saved  from  them  :  I  grow  impatient  ;  unbelief  pre- 
vails: doubts  and  fears  arise.  Here  is  the  remedy:  2d.  "  I  wil 
wait."  Time  will  prove  God's  truth,  satan's  lying  suggestions,  and 
the  groundless  suspicions  of  my  own  heart.  "  He  who  believeth 
shall  not  make  haste.".. ..Isa.  xxviii.  16.  It  is,  "the  God  of  my 
salvation,"  I  wait  upon,  and  wait  for  :  "  My  times  are  in  his  hands." 
....Psalm  xxxi.  15.  Every  promise  has  its  season  for  accomplish- 
ment, every  providence  its  hour,  every  vision  its  appointed  time  t 
"  To  every  thing  there  is  a  season,  and  a  time  to  every  purpose  under 
the  heaven. "....Eccles.  iii.  1.  O,  this  waiting  faith  honors  the  Lord's 
word  greatly  :  it  has  the  Lord's  word  for  its  support.  The  Lord 
honors  it.  Behold  his  absolute,  precious  promise  to  it :  "  They  that 
wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their  strength.". ...Isa.  xl.  31.  But 
this  was  not  silent  looking,  and  dumb  waiting.  For,  3d.  Here  is 
the  cry  of  faith  :  "  My  God  will  hear  me."  O  the  preciousness  of 
faith  1  It  claims  the  Lord,  and  makes  a  special  appropriation  of  him: 
MY  God,  vile  and  sinful  as  I  am  ;  wretched  and  miserable  as  sin  has 
made  me  ;  however  beset  and  distressed  with  foes  within  and  ene- 
mies without,  yet,  O  my  soul,  thou  hast  a  covenant  God  in  Christ  to 
look  to,  wait  for,  and  call  upon  :  he  will  hear  me,  I  am  sure  of  it ; 
for  he  put  it  into  my  heart  to  cry  to  him. 

To  look,  and  wait  upon  the  Lord,         For  God  his  presence  w'll  afford. 
Our  priv'le^e  is  most  sweet,  And  will  with  comforts  greet.     M. 

Vol.  H.  Qq 


314  NOVEMBER  6. 

Thekiugdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and  drink,  hut  righteous- 
ness, peace  and  joy  in  the  Hohj  Ghost. ...Roin.  xiv.  17. 

How  much  did  our  dear  Saviour  bear,  what  pains  did  he  take 
with  his  first  disciples  to  teach  them  the  nature  of  his  kingdom  ? 
Their  notions  were  carnal  and  worldly  :  his  kingdom  spiritual  and 
heavenly.  We  are  just  like  them.  Blessed  be  his  name,  the  Lord 
is  the  same  in  patience  and  love  to  teach  us  also.  There  ever  was, 
now  is,  and  ever  will  be  a  cry,  Lo,  here  is  Christ  with  us  :  lo, 
there  is  the  kingdom  of  God  :  it  consists  in  this  external  mode,  that 
outward  rite,  ceremony  or  institution.  Just  like  those  ministers,  the 
dry-vines  of  this  day,  every  subject  they  pre<tch  upon  is  to  save  you. 
If  they  preach  what  is  called  a  charity  sermon,  even  the  gift  of  mo- 
ney is  to  entitle  you  to  God's  kingdom.  But  what  says  our  Lord  ? 
Behold,  take  special  notice,  "The  kingdom  of  God  is  within  you." 
....Luke  xvii.  21.  It  consists  in  nothing  carnal,  nor  external.  Its 
blessings  are  inward,  spiritual,  and  substantial.  1st.  Righteousness. 
That  the  devil  robbed  us  of.  Glory  to  Christ,  he  restores  righteous- 
ness to  us  ;  he  gives  us  a  better  righteousness  than  we  lost :  we 
lost  but  a  creature's  righteousness,  but  we  gain  the  righteousnesaBB 
God's  only  Son  ;  the  righteousness  of  God  and  man  in  one  CbrSF" 
Satan  ruined  us  by  sin,  Christ  saves  us  by  righteousness.  The 
kingdom  of  God  is  established  in  righteousness  upon  the  ruins  of 
sin  and  satan  :  the  subjects  of  this  kingdom  are  all  righteous. .r.Isa. 
lx.-21.  As  we  possess  this  kingdom  in  our  hearts  by  faith,  so 
Christ's  righteousness  is  called  the  righteousness  of  faith  ;  for  we 
receive  it  by  faith  ;  we  do  nothing  to  work  it  out,  it  is  the  gift  of 
righteousness.. ..Rom.  v.  17.  O  how  gloriously  are  our  souls  ar- 
rayed in  the  righteousness  of  the  King  of  saints.  Let  us  glory  of 
this  righteousness  only  ;  for  the  more  we  believe  of  it  in  our  hearts, 
tl\e  more  we  live  in  the  spirit  and  temper  of  righteousness  in  our 
lives.  2d.  Peace.  We  were  once  at  peace  with  the  world,  the 
flesh  and  the  devil,  and  at  war  with  God  ;  now  we  are  in  his  righ- 
teous kingdom  and  righteous  in  his  Son  ;  we  are  at  peace  with  God 
and  at  war  with  tKem  :  "  The  elfects  of  this  righteousness  is  peace 
and  quietness,  and  assurance  for  ever."....Isa.  xxxii.  17.  od.  Jor 
jN  THE  Holy  Ghost.  Being  righteous  in  Jesus  and  at  peace  with 
God,  the  Holy  (ihost  gives  us  the  joy  of  this  ;  he  teaches  us  to  joy  in 
all  Jesus  is  to  us  and  has  done  for  us  ;  yea,  "  he  fills  us  with  all  joy 
and  peace  IN  believing. ".... Rom.  xv.  13.  Wherefore,  we  receiv- 
ing a  kingdom  which  cannot  be  moved,  "  Let  us  have  grace  where- 
by we  may  serve  God  acceptably,  with  reverence  and  godly  fear." 
....Htb.  xii.  28. 


NOVEMBER  7.  315 

Mij  soulfolloiccth  Jiard  after  thee:  thy  right  hand  iip- 
holdeth  7nc....Ps(dm  Ixiii.  8. 

David  was  no   Arminian  :   he   ascribes   no   glory  to  nature's 
power  and  free-will.     Free-grace  P;vul  says,  "  I  laboured  more  abun- 
dantly than  they  all."     Btit  he  immediately  corrects  himself:  "  Yet 
not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God  which  was  with  me."....l  Cor.  xv.  10. 
So  if  David's  soul  followed  hard  after  God,  he  gives  grace  the  lienor  of 
it:  "  Thy  right  hand  upholds  mc."     This  is  the  way  both  to  improve 
and  enjoy  lively  frames  of  soul,  to  see  and  acknowledge  the  Lord's 
hand  to  be  the  cause  of  them.     O,  it  is  delightful  when   the  soul 
follows  hard  after  God.     For,     1st.  It  implies  such  a  discovery  of 
the  love  and  grace  of  the  Lord,  that  the  mind  is  fixed  upon  him  : 
the  heart  goes  out  after  him,  and  the  affections  cleave  unto  him. 
the  language  is,  "  What  is  tliere  upon  earth  that  I  can  desire  beside 
thee  ?"    O,  says  the   soul,  "  I  am  in  his  eyes,   as  one  that  found 
favor.".. .. Song  viii.  10.     Then,  2d.  Every  thing  appears  mean  and 
contemptible  in  comparison  of  the  Lord  :    the  world,  with  all  its 
riches,  honors  and  pleasures,  has  lost  its  charms  :   sin  is  abhorred  : 
satan  is  defied  :  the  flesh  is  denied  :   the  smiles  and  frowns  of  car- 
nal men  set  at  nouglil :   nothing  but  the  enjoyment  of  the   Lord's 
love  and  presence  is   prized.     Therefore,  3d.  There  is  a  diligent 
attendance  on  the   means  of  grace,    a   conscientious  discharge  of 
duty,  a  delight  in  the  exercise  of  every  grace,  believing  in  the  Lord, 
looking  to   him,  hoping  in   him,   calling  on  him,    loving,  fearing, 
serving,    and  adoring  him.     O,  says  the  soul,  I  will  go  under  the 
word,  who  knows  but  I   may  get  a  word  more  of  the  love,  peace 
and  salvation  of  my  Lord  Christ  ?  I  will  go  to  his  table  that  he  may 
meet,  and  bless,  and  kiss  my  soul :  "  Let  him  kiss  me  with  the  kisses 
of  his  mouth,  for  thy  love  is  better  than  Avine."....Song  i.  2.     This 
is  living  indeed ;  living  like  one's  self,  as  beloved  of  the  Lord,  follow- 
ing hard  after  him,  reaching  forward  to  him,  "  pressing  towards  the 
mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.".... 
Phil.  ili.  14.     O,  let  us  look  more  "to  the  right  hand  of  the  Lord. 
It  hath  the  pre-eminence.     The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  bringcth 
mighty  things  to  pass."     O,  think  on  Stephen's  vision:    "  He  saw 
Jesus  standing  at  the  right  hand  of  God. "....Acts  vii.  55.     We  have 
the  very  same  vrsion  by  faith  and  the  very  same  object  to  look  unto 
every  hour  of  life  and  every  step  of  our  journey:   this  brings  sup- 
port to  our  minds  and  joy  to  our  hearts  :  "  we  endure  seeing  him  who 
is  invisible.".. ..Heb.  xi.  27. 


316  NOVEMBER  8. 

Then  said  one  unto  him,  Lord  arc  titer e  few  that  be 
saved?.. ..I.uke  xiii.  23. 

Peter's  fervent  prayer,  "  Lord  save  or  I  perish,"  was  iniich 
better  than  this  curious  question  :  it  was  an  unprofitable  one.  Sup- 
pose our  Lord  had  given  a  direct  answer  to  it,  assured  him  there 
are  but  few  thai  will  be  saved,  and  told  him  the  exact  number, 
what  good  would  this  querist  have  got  by  it?  Learn  hence,  1st* 
That  unprofitable  questions  are  to  be  avoided :  they  proceed  from  a 
vain  curiosity,  and  are  proposed  to  gratify  the  itch  of  a  speculative 
humour.  Indulge  no  thoughts  in  thy  mind  above,  beyond,  nor  con- 
trary to  what  is  written  :  they  may  amuse  and  perplex,  but  cannot 
edify  thy  soul.  Observe,  2d.  The  wisdom  of  thy  Lord  :  he  does 
not  give  a  direct  answer  to  this  vain  question,  but  improve?  it  to  ge- 
neral usefulness  ;  as  though  he  had  said,  '  Friend,  thy  question  is 
impertinent;  thou  art  prying  into  a  matter  that  concerns  thee  not ; 
thou  hast  a  notion  of  salvation  in  thy  head  and  hast  put  a  curious 
question  from  thy  tongue,  but  thy  heart  is  unconcerned  about  thy 
own  salvation ;  rather  than  answer  thy  inquisitive  question,  I  will  im- 
prove it  to  general  use,  strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate.* 
3d.  Disciple,  here  is  an  admirable  lesson  for  thee  and  me.  Let  us 
learn  to  improve  every  curious  question  into  godly  edification  ;  nice 
and  subtle  distinctions  into  practical  and  experimental  conversation. 
You  can  scarce  begin  to  speak  of  the  grace  of  God  and  the  salvation 
of  Christ  to  poor  blind  sinners,  but  they  will  ask,  do  not  you  hold 
the  doctrine  of  election  ?  I  am  persuaded  it  would  be  best  to  follow 
our  Lord's  conduct:  give  no  answer  to  the  question  ;  set  forth  the 
exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  the  deplorable  state  sinners  are  in,  the 
absolute  necessity  of  a  Saviour,  the  matchless  glory  of  his  person, 
the  riches  of  his  love  to  sinners,  the  fulness  of  his  salvation  of  them, 
and  the  need  we  have  of  faith  in  him,  to  be  clothed  in  his  righteous- 
ness, justified  before  God,  and  eternally  saved  by  him  :  this,  this  is 
the  Avay  to  instruct  poor  sinners'  minds,  and  to  warm  and  enliven 
our  own  souls.  Dry  disquisitions  promote  jar  and  discord.  Let 
Jesus,  the  strait  gate,  be  in  our  view  :  "  Let  us  consider  the  end 
of  our  conversation,  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
for  ever."....Heb.  xiii.  7,  8.  Let  us  look  to  him  every  day  and  every 
hour  to  save  us  from  the  deceitful  pride  of  our  hearts,  the  abo- 
minable wickedness  of  our  nature,  and  from  all  our  cursed  lusts, 
which  war  against  our  souls. 

This  is  our  comfort,  dearest  Lord,  Tho'  chief  of  sinners  Lord  I  am, 
That  ev'ry  soul  thou'lt  save,  Yet  still  I  hope  in  thee : 

Who  comes  unto  thee  self-abhorr'd,  O  suffering,  loving,  saving  Lamb. 
Salvation  for  to  crave.  Save,  save  poor  guilty  mc.      M. 


NOVEMBER  9.  Sir 

And  Israel  said  it  is  enough. ...Gen.  xlv.  28. 

PIis  soul  seems  fully  satisfied  with  the  Lord's  dealings  and  dis- 
pensations :  he  could  ask  no  more  :  there  was  a  perfect  calm  in  his 
mind  :  he  sings  a  street  requiem  to  his  soul,  like  David,  when  he 
says,  "  Return  unto  thy  rest,  Q  my  soul,  for  the  Lord  hath  dcu.li 
bountifully  with  thee.  For  thou  hast  delivered  my  soul  from  death, 
mine  eyes  from  tears,  and  my  feet  from  falling.  I  will  walk  before 
the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the  living.".. ..Psalm  cxvi.  7,  8,  9.  Most  pre- 
cious resolution  for  such  great  bounties  !  Come,  christian,  canst 
thou  say  with  the  hoary-headed  patriarch,  to  night,  it  is  enough  ? 
"What  could  God  have  done  more  for  me,  which  he  hath  not  done  ? 
Could  that  one  word,  sounded  in  the  ears  of  Jacob,  "  Joseph  is  yet 
alive,"  cause  such  transport  of  joy  to  rush  so  suddenly  upon  him  as 
to  be  too  impetuous  to  be  resisted  ?  How  should  that  blessed  word, 
Jesus  is  yet  alive,  transport  thy  soul  ?  Was  Joseph  governor  over  all 
the  land  of  Egypt  ?  The  government  is  upon  the  shoulders  of  your 
cider  brother,  Christ.. ..Isa.  ix.  6.  All  power  in  heaven  and  earth  is 
committed  to  him. ...Matt,  xxviii.  18.  lie  sailh,  "  I  am  he  that 
liycth  and  was  dead,  and  behold  I  am  alive  for  evermore.  Amen  : 
and  have  the  keys  of  hell  and  of  death. "....Rev.  i,  18.  Is  not  here 
cause  for  thee  to  cry  out,  satis,  it  is  enough  :  I  can  desire  no  more. 
Surely,  this  is  sufficient  to  cause  thy  dejected  spirit  to  revive.  Did 
Jacob  believe  when  he  saw  the  presents  of  liis  son  ?  Did  he  say,  "  I 
will  go  and  sec  him  before  I  die  ?"  O  christian,  is  thy  Saviour  as- 
cended into  his  kingdom  ?  Has  he  received  gifts  for  thee  and  poured 
down  love-tokens  upon  thee  ?  Has  he  given  thee  repentance  to  turn 
to  him  and  faith  to  embrace  him  ?  What  is  thy  language  ?  It  is 
enough  :  Jesus  ever  lives,  eternally  loves,  incessantly  prays.  Then 
I  shall  surely  see  him,  but  not  before  I  die  :  but  I  shall  soon  sliake 
off  these  rags  of  mortality  and  sing  victory  in  death.  Then,  O  then 
I  shall  behold  him  eye  to  eye,  and  face  to  face.  Then  I  shall  say 
wich  highest  rapture  of  soul,  "  It  is  enough."  Then  death  shall  be 
swallowed  up  of  life  and  I  shall  cast  down  my  crown  before  the 
Lamb.  O  then  I  shall  eternally  see  him,  "whom  having  not  seen 
I  love  :  in  whom,  though  now  I  see  him  not,  yet  believing,  I  re- 
joice with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory."....  1  Pet.  i.  8.  0,that 
in  the  same  Spirit  with  Paul,  may  I  ever  say,  "  Doubtless  I  count  all 
things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus 
my  Lord.".. ..Phil.  iii.  8. 

Too  oft  my  fooilsh  heart,  Lord,  let  thy  love  still  neign 
To  other  loves  incline,  O'er  all  my  foes  within  : 

And  so  from  Jesus  I  depart,  Thee  do  I  count  my  greatest  gain. 
Then  grief  and  sorrow's  mine.  O  save  me  from  all  sin.  M. 


518  NOVEMBER   10. 

He  that  receive th  me,  receiveth  him  that  sent  me.... Matt. 
X.  40. 

It  is  very  natural  to  think,  if  the  Son  of  God  were  now  upon 
earth,  O  how  gladly  would  we  receive  him  into  our  houses.  If  you 
really  would,  you  now  cordially  receive  the  report  of  him  into  your 
hearts  :  you  now  welcome  it  by  faith  as  the  most  precious  truth  that 
ever  saluted  your  ears.  1st.  What  is  it  to  receive  Christ  ?  There  is 
endless  perplexity  in  the  consciences  of  many  poor  sinners,  whether 
they  have  received  Christ,  when  they  received  him,  what  it  is  to 
receive  him,  how  they  received  him,  and  whether  they  received  him 
right,  8cc.  Satan  gets  great  advantage  here  over  many.  Therefore 
he  stirs  up  many  (who  nevertheless  may  do  it  ignorantly)  who  sadly 
puzzle  poor  souls  with  nice  and  subtle  refinements  about  receiving 
Christ.  You  would  have  no  difficulty  to  tell  whether  you  received  a 
dear  friend,  how  your  heart  stood  affected  towards  him,  and  what 
reception  you  gave  him.  How  is  it  between  Christ  and  your  soul? 
Do  you  see  him,  believe  on  him,  and  trust  in  him  as  a  Saviour,  just 
suited  to  your  ruined,  desperate,  hopeless  state  ?  Bless  the  holy 
Spirit  for  this :  you  have  received  Christ.  Now,  2d.  Consider  the 
blessedness  of  this.  You  have  also  received  him  who  sent  Christ, 
that  is,  God  the  Father  :  he  gave  Christ  for  us :  he  sent  Christ  to 
us.  And  therefore,  1st.  God  is  now  your  loving  Father  in  Christ : 
there  is  nothing  but  peace  and  love  in  his  heart  towards  you:  he  is 
for  ever  reconciled  to  you  :  all  his  attributes  are  engaged  for  you  :  he 
declares,'*  I  will  be  merciful  to  your  unrighteousness  :  your  sins  and 
your  iniquities  I  will  remember  no  more."....Heb.  viii.  12.  You  are 
now  as  safe  from  the  curse  of  sin,  the  condemnation  of  the  law,  and 
the  power  of  satan,  as  though  you  were  at  his  right  hand;  for  your 
Father's  right  hand  is  your  defence.  If  he  stretch  it  forth  to  chastize 
and  alTlict  you,  it  is  all  in  love.  O  the  joy  of  faith  !  For,  2d.  You 
are  his  righteous  child  in  Christ.  Though  in  yourself  you  are  sin- 
ful and  miserable,  have  irksome  thoughts,  vile  lusts,  disagreeable 
feelings,  the  workings  of  unbelief,  devilish  injections,  Sec.  these 
all  spring  from  your  flesh,  in  which  dwells  no  good  thing  ;  these  are 
common  to  all  the  children  of  God  :  therefore  think  it  not  strange 
that  you  are  made  to  groan  under  a  body  of  sin  and  death,  from  day 
to  day  ;  let  not  these  mar  your  comfort,  nor  prevent  your  joy  of 
being  a  perfectly  righteous  son  or  daughter  of  (iod  in  Christ.  For, 
3d.  You  ever  have  all  free  access  t©  Ciod  and  all  holy  boldness  be- 
iore  him....Eph.  iii.  12. 


NOVEMBER   11.  319 

The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  azcay;  blessed  be 
the  name  of  the  Lord....  Job  i.  21. 

Meek  Moses,  righteous  Lot,  patient  Job,  were  as  wicked  by 
nature  as  any  sinners  that  ever  were  born.  True,  they  were  emi- 
nent saints  ;  but  who  made  them  so?  The  same  Saviour  who  sanc- 
tifies you  and  me.  Cease  ye  from  man  :  look  upon  the  most  holy 
saint  as  a  sinner  in  himself,  but  only  distinguished  by  the  grace  of 
God.  When  any  grace  eminently  shines  in  any  sinner,  remember 
it  all  comes  out  of  the  fulness  of  the  Saviour  ;  so  look  for  grace  for 
yourself.  While  Job  suffers  the  loss  of  all,  yet  he  glories  in  the 
possession  of  all :  though  he  could  not  now  say  my  children,  my 
possessions,  my  health,  Sec.  yet  he  could  say,  "  My  Redeemer 
liveth."....Job  xix.  25.  The  belief  of  this  sweetened  every  cross  ; 
made  up  every  loss  ;  kept  his  head  from  sinking  in  the  deep  waters 
of  affliction,  his  heart  from  fainting  under  the  greatest  tribulations, 
and  fortified  his  mind  with  the  greatest  patience  under  the  severest 
calamities  ;  he  saw  his  Lord  in  all,  therefore  by  his  grace  he  sub- 
mits to  all.  Job  is  here  set  before  us  as  most  eminent  for  his  pa- 
tience. To  what  end  ?  That  we  might  learn  patience  hereby  ?  Re- 
member patience  is  a  grace:  it  is  a  gift  from  the  God  of  all  grace: 
we  can  no  more  derive  patience  from  the  example  of  Job,  than  we 
can  get  light  and  heat  from  a  painted  sun.  View  the  saint,  but  look 
to  the  King  of  saints  to  be  like-minded.  "The  Lord  gave."  Sweet 
consideration  1  Look  upon  all  you  enjoy  as  the  free  gift  of  a  covenant 
God  ;  hold  the  giver  fast,  but  hold  the  gifts  with  a  trembling  hand. 
Perhaps  ere  to-morrow's  sun,  you  may  be  constrained  to  say  of  some 
of  your  sweetest  enjoyments,  "  The  Lord  hath  taken  away."  Love 
saw  they  would  do  you  harm  and  that  it  is  best  for  you  to  be  without 
them  ;  therefore  in  love  God  takes  them  away.  Love  is  always  the 
same,  in  a  giving  as  in  a  taking  God ;  therefore,  what  good  reason 
have  we  to  say  for  both,  "  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord?"  Here 
you  see  the  work  of  faith.  It  sees  the  Lord's  name  written  upon 
every  enjoyment :  it  owns  the  Lord's  right  to  give  or  take  away: 
it  bows  to  the  Lord's  sovereign  will,  and  says.  Lord  thou  dost  all 
things  well :  though  what  thou  doest  I  cannot  now  know,  yet  I  shall 
know  hereafter  ;  I  am  sure  there  is  a  Father's  love  and  wisdom  in 
all  :  O  that  all  may  be  sanctified  to  me,  and  I  profited  by  all.  Thus, 
as  faith  in  Christ  brings  us  to  the  knowledge  of  God,  as  our  loving 
Father,  to  enjoy  peace  with  him ;  so  it  teaches  submission  to  his  will, 
and  to  bless  his  name  at  all  times.     Rejoice  in  the  Lord. 


520  •  NOVEMBER  12. 

lie  that  hath  received  his  iestimony^  hath  set  to  his  seal 
that  God  is  tnie...John  iii.  ^^. 

Wherein  consists  the  essential  difference  between  tlidsnghte- 
ous  and  the  wicked  ?  In  this,  the  heart  of  the  former  receives  the 
testimony  of  Christ  c^fld  thereby  honors  the  God  of  truth  :  the  lat- 
ter rejects  it  and  thereby  makes  God  a  liar....l  John  v.  10.  No  mar- 
vel then  that  it  is  declared,  "  He  that  believeth  not  the  Son,  shall 
hot  see  life,  but  the  wrctth  of  (^od  abideth  on  him. "....John  iii.  36. 
And  that  "Cod  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day.". ...Psalm  vii.  1 1. 
Why  ?  Because  they  every  day  live  in  this  daring,  provoking  sin  of 
unbelief  of  the  testimony  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  give  God  the  lie_ 
to  his  face.  This  is  the  greatest  sin  under  heaven.  O  the  long  suf- 
fering patience  of  God  toward  such  stout-hearted  rebels.  Consider, 
1st.  Vv'hat  is  this  testimony  ?  It  is  the  witness  which  Christ  bears  to 
the  children  of  men,  that  he  is  the  Son  of  God:  that  he  came  forth 
from  God  :  that  he  came  to  fulfil  the  law  of  God  :  to  honor  the  jus- 
tice of  God  :  to  bring  glory  to  all  the  attributes  of  God,  by  saving 
sinners  according  to  the  truth  of  God.  2d.  What  is  it  to  receive 
this  testimony  ?  Simply  to  credit  it  ;  just  as  one  does  by  a  person 
who  in  a  solemn  manner  gives  a  plain  and  faithful  evidence  in  court 
of  what  he  knows  of  the  cause  on  trial.  Now  here  we  see  what  a 
simple  thing  faith  is  :  it  is  no  other  than  receiving  Christ's  testimo- 
f\y  ;  believing  him  to  be  what  he  declares  he  is,  the  Saviour  of  lost 
sinners ;  righteousness  to  us  who  have  none  of  our  own  ;  an  atone- 
ment for  sins,  which  we  must  have  been  damned  for  without ;  re- 
demption from  the  curse  of  the  law,  which  we  could  never  avert ; 
and  the  hope  of  eternal  life,  which  we  have  forfeited.  ^  Thus  we 
l-eceive  the  testimony  of  Jesus  as  a  reprieve  for  condemned  malefac- 
tors, an  act  of  grace  for  outlawed  rebels,  a  report  of  mercy  for  mi- 
serable sinners.  But  alas  !  How  do  we  puzzle  our  heads  and  per- 
plex our  hearts  ?  For,  instead  of  blessing  Jesus  for  this  precious  tes- 
timony, looking  at  it,  considering  its  suitableness,  and  deriving  our 
comfort  from  it,  we  get  to  questioning  our  faith,  whether  we  have 
received  it  and  do  believe  aright.  This  is  our  folly.  3d.  See  the 
blessedness  of  receiving  this  testimony  :  "  He  hath  set  to  his  seal 
that  God  is  true."  Or,  as  some  read  it,  God  hath  sealed  him  (by 
his  Spirit)  because  he  is  true.  As  we  set  our  seal  to  God's  truth, 
he  will  seal  our  hearts  with  his  comforts.  We  cannot  honor  God 
more,  nor  please  him  better,  than  to  hear  and  believe  his  beloved 
Sun. 

The  testimony  of  Christ's  love  By  faith  it  lifts  our  souls  above, 

Is  full  of  joy  and  peace,  And  doth  from  sin  release.        M. 


NOVEMBER  13.  S2i 

The  Lord  is  able  to  give  thee  much  more  than  this..,. 
2  Chron.  xxv.  9. 

Thus  spoke  the  propliet  to  Amaziah  king  of  Judah.  "  He  did 
that  which  was  right  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  but  not  with  a  per- 
fect heart."... .2  Chron.  xxv.  2.  His  works  were  externally  right, 
but  he  was  destitute  of  uprightness  of  heart  towards  the  Lord. 
Our  Saviour  forbids,  "Judge  not  according  to  the  appearance.".... 
John  vii.  24.  Be  not  hasty  in  judging  of  any  one  :  nay,  not  of  thy 
own  state  neither,  merely  from  a  few  external  actions.  Look  well  to 
thy  heart:  see  that  there  is  upright  honesty  and  integrity  at  the 
bottom  of  thy  conduct  :  if  otherwise,  it  will  soon  be  made  manifest. 
So  it  was  with  Amaziah.  This  chapter  records  three  abominable 
evils  which  he  fell  into:  confidence  in  an  arm  of  flesh.. ..idolatry.... 
pride,  which  proved  his  destruction.  As  to  the  first,  he  hired  one 
hundred  thousand  mighty  men  of  valour,  to  strengthen  his  army 
against  his  enemies,  for  one  hundred  talents  of  silver,  i.  e.  thirty- 
five  thousand  three  hundred  pounds  sterling.  A  prophet  of  the  Lord 
is  sent  to  forbid  his  going  to  war  with  these  hired  forces  :  he  takes  the 
warning,  but  is  concerned  at  losing  so  large  a  sum  of  money:  the 
prophet  adds,  "  the  Lord  is  able  to  give  thee  much  more."  Had 
he  consulted  the  Lord  upon  his  expedition,  he  had  saved  his  money  ; 
but  he  asked  not  counsel  from  him.  O  christian,  lean  not  to  thine 
own  understanding  ;  seek  to  thy  Lord  ;  consult  his  will  in  his  word; 
beg  for  his  direction  in  every  enlerprize  :  otherwise,  though  the 
Lord  may  kindly  send  a  messenger  to  thee,  yet  thou  wilt  suffer 
loss  and  gain  vexation.  If  thou  hast  taken  a  wrong  step  do  not  ob- 
stinately pursue  it;  better  suffer  the  loss  of  any  thing  than  thy  Lord's 
favor.  Amaziah  was  wrought  upon  by  the  prophet's  word  :  he  sent 
back  the  hired  forces  and  gave  up  the  loss  of  his  money.  O  sweet 
word  I  the  Lord  is  able  to  give  thee  more  than  this  :  he  can,  and  he 
will  repay  every  loss  thou  sustainest  in  doing  and  suffering  his  will. 
Does  thy  enemy  fret  and  teize  thee  from  day  to  day  ?  Are  thy  vio- 
lent passions  ready  to  break  out  against  him  and  to  revenge  thyself 
upon  him?  O  give  up  all  ;  give  way  to  none  :  be  content  to  suffer 
for  thy  Lord's  sake.  Is  not  thy  Lord  able  to  make  it  up  to  thee  ? 
Remember  he  says,  "  Whatever  ye  give  up  for  niy  sake,  and  the 
gospel's  sake,  yc  shall  receive  an  hundred  fold  now,  and  in  the 
world  to  come  eternal  life.".. ..Matt.  xix.  29. 

My  soul,  count  Christ  thy  greatest  gain,  Not  one  groJ  thing  will  he  vvithold, 
Who  gave  up  all  for  thee  :  To  make  thee  truly  ble<it : 

His  love  and  grace  do  ever  reign,  Against  thy  foes  he  makes  thee  bold  : 

From  sin  to  set  thcc  free.  O  give  up  all  for  Christ.  M. 

Vol.  II.  R  r 


522  NOVEMBER  14. 

Aj't  thou  made  of  the  klng^s  counsel f  Forbear:   Why 
shouldest  thou  he  smitten?.... 9.  Chron.  xxv.  16. 

Horrid  ingratitude  !  No  sooner  was  Amaziah  returned  from 
the  slaughter  of  the  Edomitcs,  but  instead  of  erecting  an  altar  to 
the  Lord  of  hosts,  who  had  given  him  success,  he  falls  into  idolatry 
and  burns  incense  to  their  gods.  He  v  ent  to  war  without  God  : 
he  returns  victorious,  sets  up  idols,  and  forsakes  the  Lord.  Vain 
confidence  is  departing  from  the  Lord,  and  the  first  step  to  idolatry. 
Never  think  of  a  sin  being  subdued,  a  grace  strengthened,  or  a 
comfort  enjoyed,  without  giving  all  the  glory  to  the  grace  of  Christ. 
Look  at  thy  victories  with  humility.  Know  self  to  be  as  great  an 
idol  as  the  gods  of  the  Edomites.  Though  the  Lord's  anger  was 
kindled  against  Amaziah,  yet  he  is  long-suffering  to  sinners  :  he 
sends  his  prophet  to  reprove  him  :  he  gives  him  a  most  stinging  sar- 
casm, '*  Why  hast  thou  sought  imto  the  gods  of  the  people,  who 
could  not  deliver  them  out  of  thy  hands?"  This  is  an  instance  of 
the  greatest  folly  and  madness.  Wilt  thou,  O  christian,  sacrifice 
to  the  goodness  of  thy  heart,  or  burn  incense  to  the  pride  of  thy 
free-will?  Could  these  deliver  thee  from  the  hands  of  thine  ene- 
mies? Nay,  if  the  Lord  had  not  restrained  the  wickedness  of  thine 
heart  and  bowed  the  stubborn  rebellion  of  thy  will,  they  would  have 
delivered  thee  into  the  hands  of  thine  enemies,  and  eternal  destruc- 
tion had  been  thy  doom.  O,  constantly  sacrifice  to  free-grace  :  let 
the  sweet  incense  of  praise  ascend  from  thy  heart  this  night  to  the 
God  of  all  grace,  the  Saviour  of  wicked-hearted,  proud  sinners  1 
How  does  Amaziah  behave  under  this  sharp  reproof?  Why,  instead 
of  falling  under  conviction,  and  repenting  of  his  base  ingratitude 
and  ridiculous  conduct,  he  falls  upon  the  Lord's  prophet.  Like 
Ahab  to  Elijah,  "Hast  thou  found  me,  O  mine  enemy  ?"  So  he 
asks,  "Art  thou  made  of  the  king's  counsel  ?"  And  he  threatened 
him.  O,  it  is  a  dreadful  sign  to  be  angry  with  a  faithful  reprover  of 
one's  sin !  When  the  horrid  consequence  of  sin  is  laid  before  one, 
it  is  a  vain,  foolish  shift  of  the  devil  to  ask,  what,  have  you  been 
in  the  Lord's  cabinet-council  ?  Or,  when  the  doctrine  of  God's  elect- 
ing love  is  spoken  of,  some  foolishly  demand,  are  you  one  of  the 
Lord's  privy  council  ?  No  :  but  we  know  the  Lord's  mind  concerning 
sin,  grace  and  salvation,  in  his  word,  without  searching  the  records 
of  eternity  :  there  it  is  wrote  as  with  a  sun-beam.  Impenitent  sin- 
ners shall  die  in  their  sins  andJUe  damned  for  their  sins  :  all  who 
arc  saved,  it  is  by  the  free  grace  df  God  abounding  to  sinners  in 
Christ  Jesus. 

Lord,  soficn  this  hard  heart  of  mine    And  yield  unto  thy  wise  design, 
Each  kind  reproof  to  feel ;  To  keep  my  soul  from  ill.  M. 


NOVEMBER   15.  32S 

Thine  heart  lifteth  thee  iij)  to  boast. ...'HChron.  xxv.  19. 

How  despicable,  how  contemptible  does  pride  make  a  man  look 
in  the  eyes  of  his  enemies?  Amaziah  sets  out  with  the  first  step  to 
idolatry,  confidence  in  an  arm  of  flesh  :  he  next  falls  into  the  most 
gross  and  absurd  idolatry.  Reproof  leaves  him  under  it.  As  he  had 
forsook  the  Lord,  the  Lord  cast  him  off:  his  destruction  is  near: 
"A  haughty  spirit  goes  before  a  fall.  Let  him  who  thinks  he  stand- 
eth  take  heed  lest  he  fall."  One  sin  brings  on  another.  When  the 
Lord  leaves  a  man,  he  exposes  his  pride  and  makes  himself  ridicu- 
lous. Amaziah,  being  fluslied  with  success  at  his  victory  over  the 
Edomites,  sends  a  message  to  Joash  king  of  Israel,  saying,  "  Come, 
let  us  see  one  another  in  the  face."  A  challenge  to  war  :  face  me  if 
you  dare.  Alas  !  he  little  thought  that  the  Lord  was  departed  from 
him,  that  he  was  given  up  to  hardness  of  heart  and  to  seek  his  own 
destruction.  How  different  his  language  from  that  of  David  to  the 
boasting  Goliath,  "I  come  against  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts."....  1  Sam.  xvii.  45.  Joash,  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
Easterns,  answers  him  by  a  proverb,  "  The  thistle  sent  to  the  cedar, 
saying,  Give  thy  daughter  to  my  son  to  wife:  and  lo,  a  wild  beast 
passed  by  and  trod  down  the  thistle."  Intimating  that  there  was  as 
contemptible  a  comparison  between  Amaziah  and  himself,  as  between 
that  low  base  weed,  a  thistle,  and  a  tall  stately  cedar.  However, 
what  Amaziah  wanted  in  strength  he  possessed  in  pride,  which  prov- 
ed his  overthrow.  Christian,  learn  to  know  thyself:  be  not  high- 
minded  :  though  thy  Lord  gives  thee  to  tread  down  all  the  power  of 
the  enemy,  yet  he  says,  "  notwithstanding,  rejoice  not  in  this,  that 
evil  spirits  arc  subject  unto  thee."  No?  Why  not  ?  Is  not  this  mat- 
ter of  joy  ?  Doubtless.  But  take  heed  of  vain-glorying  here.  Be- 
ware, lest  thy  heart  be  lifted  up  to  boast.  The  worst  evil,  pride, 
may  be  excited  by  the  best  of  causes.  Know  thyself  to  be  like  that 
very  contemptible  thistle  in  Lebanon  ;  that  vile,  prickly  weed,  in 
which  dwells  no  good,  and  has  no  strength  to  stand  against  the  foot 
of  an  enemy.  But,  the  Lord  points  thee  to  incessant  cause  of  joy : 
"  Rather  rejoice,  because  tliy  name  is  written  in  heaven."  There- 
fore, the  e\erlasting  love  of  the  God  of  heaven  is  fixed  on  thee; 
the  invincible  arm  of  the  God  of  heaven  is  engaged  to  keep  thee  ; 
and  know,  to  thy  huniilily,  thou  hast  done  nothing  to  deserve  this: 
"  Thou,  O  Lord  God,  art  a  God  full  of  compassion,  and  gracious." 
....Psalm  Ixxxvi.  15. 

Is  this  a  time  for  us  to  boast.  Forbid  it,  O  thou  Lord  of  host, 

When  sin  within  us  dwell  ?  For  'tis  the  pride  of  hell  M. 


S24  NOVEMBER  16. 

Let  every  man  prove  Ids  ozvn  zoork,  and  then  shall  he  have 
rejoicing  in  himself  alone.... Gal.  vi.  4. 

A  BAY  is  coming,  "  when  the  fire  shall  try  every  man's  work, 
of  what  sort  it  is."....l  Cor.  iii.  13.  O  how  much  wood  of  pride, 
HAY  of  self-love,  and  stubble  of  self-complacency  will  then  be 
burnt  up  !  Yea,  and  it  will  be  entirely  owing  to  the  rich  grace  and 
finished  salvation  of  Jesus  (not  for  any  work  of  ours)  that  our  souls 
too  are  not  in  that  day  cast  into  unquenchable  fire.  Why  then  does 
the  apostle  bid  us  prove  our  own  work  ?  That  we  may  be  joyful. 
Alas,  says  the  convinced,  humble  sinner,  I  have  not  a  work  that  I 
dare  look  at,  but  instead  of  giving  me  joy  it  occasions  sorrow  :  "  God 
be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner:"  Lord  be  gracious  to  me  an  unprofita- 
ble servant.  Is  this  the  confession  of  thy  heart  ?  Prove  it  by  the 
•word  of  God  ;  thou  wilt  find  it  agreeable  thereto  :  rejoice  in  thyself 
for  it :  give  glory  to  him  who  taught  thee  to  know  thyself  and  put 
into  thine  heart  the  language  of  grace.  Thou  art  saved  from  self- 
righteousness  and  self-confidence  :  rejoice  in  that.  It  is  thine  ov/n 
work  to  believe,  the  power  is  the  Lord's.  Prove  thy  work  of  faith. 
Does  it  fix  on  Jesus  alone  ?  Does  it  work  by  love  to  him,  to  his  re- 
jected truth,  his  despised  people,  and  his  scorned  interest  and  glory. 
Rejoice  in  thyself,  but  give  all  glory  to  Christ  who  is  the  author  of 
thy  faith.  Are  the  commands  of  Christ  as  well  as  his  salvation  pre- 
cious to  thee  ?  Dost  thou  love  and  pursue  holiness,  knowing  in  this 
way  only  thou  canst  enjoy  fellowship  with  Christ  ?  Dost  thou  hate 
sin  and  eschew  it  as  contrary  to  the  glory  of  Christ,  the  faith  of  thy 
heart,  the  peace  of  thy  conscience,  and  the  love  of  thy  soul  ?  Re- 
joice in  thyself.  Thou  art  highly  distinguished  by  the  Spirit  of  truth 
and  holiness  ;  thou  art  born  again  of  him  and  art  a  new  creature  in 
Christ.  Thy  grief  and  concern  for  thy  imperfections  and  short  com- 
ings are  evidences  of  the  purity  of  thy  heart :  though  they  lay  thee 
low  in  humility,  yet  they  should  never  prevent  the  abounding  of  joy 
in  thyself.  There  is  an  essential  difference  bctM-een  the  humble  joy 
of  faith  in  the  heart  of  a  poor  sinner  and  the  self-righteous  joy  of  a 
proud  Pharisee  :  he  rejoices,  because  he  sees  a  difierence  between 
himself  and  others,  that  he  is  more  righteous  than  others,  has  a  bet- 
ter title  from  himself  to  God's  favor  and  kingdom  than  others  : 
he)ice  he  despises  and  glories  over  other  poor  sinners.  The  other 
rejoices  in  himself,  for  what  Christ  is  to  him,  has  done  for  him,  and 
has  wrought  in  him,  in  consequence  of  love-union  ;  hence  his  works 
spring  from  faith,  are  done  in  faith,  and  in  all  he  desires  to  eye  his 
Lord's  glory  ;  and  while  he  has  no  confidence  in  the  flesh,  he  re- 
joices in  Christ  Jesus.. ..Phil.  iii.  3. 


NOVEMBER   \7.  325 

Tlie  God  oftJie  idiolt  cariJi  shall  lie  be  called. ...Isa.  liv.  5. 

An  affectionate  wife  cannot  bear  to  hear  her  loving  husband 
traduced  and  spoken  contemptibly  of.  It  must  hurt  her  mind.  The 
church  of  the  faithful  "■  is  the  bride,  the  Lamb's  wife. "....Rev. 
xxi.  9.  Her  Redeemer  is  said  to  be  her  husband.  These  four 
names  are  given  to  him  :  thy  IMaker:  the  Lord  of  hosts  :  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel :  the  God  of  the  whole  earth.  Now,  if  after  this 
any  should  dare  deny,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  not  truly  and  essentially 
God,  they  must  be  quite  blind,  exceeding^  bold,  and  abominably 
wicked.  Jealous  of  our  dear  husband's  honor  and  glory,  we  can- 
not bear  to  hear  him  so  vilely  traduced  and  blasphemed.  While 
Ave  pity,  we  would  flee  from  such,  and  take  shelter  under  the  wings 
of  our  REDKEMER,  aud  the  protection  of  our  husband.  The 
Godhead  disunity  of  his  person  is  the  glory  of  our  souls.  The 
humility  of  his  appearing  in  flesh  adds  charms  to  his  matchless 
beauty.  Though  he  is  our  husband  in  our  nature,  our  Redeemer 
incarnate,  though  we  have  free  access  to  him,  sweet  converse  with 
him,  and  are  indulged  with  holy  fellowship  by  him  as  man,  still 
we  honor  and  adore  him  as  "  The  God  of  the  whole  earth." 
A  poor  sinner  can  never  get  near  God  in  h4s  mind,  enjoy  God  in  his 
heart,  have  any  peace  with  God  in  his  conscience,  or  comfort  from 
God  in  his  soul,  but  when  he  has  simple  believing  views  by  fiiiih  of  an 
incarnate  God.. ..God  in  Jesus,  his  Redeemer,  and  his  husband.  And 
is  he  THY  jmaker  ?  Then  give  him  the  glory  of  thy  existence.  Is 
he.  the  Loud  of  hosts  ?  Then  glory  in  him  and  rejoice,  for  thou 
art  more  than  conqueror  over  all  the  powers  of  darkness  and 
the  hosts  of  hell,  through  liim  who  hath  loved  thee.  Is  he  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel  ?  Then  study  to  be  like  him,  pray  for  confor- 
mity to  him,  walk  in  holy  fellowship  with  him,  so  as  to  derive  all 
holiness  from  him.  Is  he  "The  God  of  the  whole  earth?" 
Then  be  assured,  being  married  to  him,  and  redeemed  by  him, 
thou  shalt  want  nothing  which  his  inftnite  wisdom  sees  best  to  give: 
for  his  everlasting  love  will  supply  all.  Live  daily  upon  the  fulness 
of  thy  husband,  and  the  grace  of  thy  redeemer.  Behold  your 
precious,  free-grace  charter  :  "  No  weapon  that  is  formed  against 
thee  shall  prosper,  and  every  tongue  that  shall  rise  against  thee  in 
judgment,  thou  shalt  condemn.  This  is  the  heritage  of  the  ser- 
vants of  the  Lord,  and  their  righteousness  is  of  me,  saith  the 
Lord. "....Isa.  liv.  17. 

True  faith  will  Jesu's  godhead  own,  This  is  the  God  of  the  whole  earth, 

For  faitli's  the  gift  of  heav'n :  Christ  is  his  human  name  : 

Christ  is  God's  co-eternal  Son,  We  know  this  by  our  heav'nly  birth. 

He's  blest  to  whom  its  giv'n.  We  glory  in  the  Lamb,             M. 


326  NOVEMBER   18. 

Be  not  carried  about  xcith  divers  and  strange  doctrines: 
For  it  is  a  good  thing  that  the  heart  be  established 
tvith  grace. ...Ileb.  xiii.  9. 
Thk  doctrines  of  grace  are  streams  which  flow  from  the  foun- 
tain head,  the  covenant  of  grace  :  they  all  lead  to  Jesus,  the  surety 
of  the  covenant.  All  doctrines  that  oppose  the  covenant-engage- 
ments of  the  holy  trinity  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  are  diverse- 
and  strange  doctrines.  They  direct  to  a  different  hope  than  Christ, 
and  lead  souls  from  the  truth  as  it  is  in  him.  With  these  diverse 
and  strangle  doctrines,  aiien  may  carry  great  zeal  for  holiness  and 
good  works,  while  they  have  I'ooted  enmity  against  the  leading 
truths  and  capital  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  Who  talk  more  of  holi- 
ness and  contend  more  for  good  works  than  Arians  and  Sociuians, 
^vho  yet  deny  the  proper  deity  of  Christ  ?  So,  many  of  another  cast,, 
carry  their  notions  of  holiness  and  perfection  to  the  greatest  height, 
yet  vehemently  oppose  the  doctrines  of  grace,  election  of  grace, 
salvation  by  grace,  justification  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and 
the  sure  and  certain  perseverance  of  all  his  saints  to  eternal  glory^ 
We  are  in  danger  of  being  carried  about,  like  light  clouds  and 
Tneteors  in  the  air,  by  the  wind  ;  so  as  to  have  our  minds  always 
fluctuating,  wavering  and  unsettled,  by  diverse  and  strange  doc- 
trines, touching  our  acceptance  with  God  and  the  hope  of  eternal  life» 
But,  as  a  remedy  against  this  evil,  says  the  apostle,  "  It  is  a  good 
thing  that  the  heart  be  established  with  grace  ;"  with  the  doctrines 
of  grace,  and  with  an  experience  of  the  grace  of  those  doctrines  : 
but  this  is  not  to  be  expected,  if  the  doctrines  of  g;race  are  not  con- 
stantly attended  to,  cordially  believed,  and  highly  prized,  as  making 
the  everlasting  love  and  salvation  of  the  trinity  precious  to  our  souls. 
Some  are  all  for  warm  affections,  but  care  little  for  solid  judgment. 
These  soon  grow  giddy-headed.  Others  are  all  for  doctrines,  and 
aim  only  to  have  clear  heads  and  a  sound  judgment  ;  but  care  not 
whether  the  heart  is  warmly  affected  and  the  life  powerfully  influ- 
enced :  such  are  like  dry  sticks  in  a  garden,  which  support  other 
regxitables,  but  neither  grow  nor  bring  forth  any  fruit  to  Christ's  glo- 
ry. O  christian,  ])e  concerned  to  have  thy  heart  established  with  the 
grace  of  Christ,  rooted  in  the  love  of  Christ,  and  animated  by  the 
Spirit  of  Christ  :  "  Built  up  in  him,  and  established  in  the  faith,  as 
ye  have  been  taught,  abounding  therein  with  thanksgiving.".. ..Col. 
ii.  7.  This  is  the  good  thing  which  you  slioiild  eaniestly  covet  day 
by  day. 

Tho*  men  and  saran  me  perjjlex  Whatever  tends  to  drive  away 

About  a  thousand  thinjjs  ;  My  faith  and  hope  in  Christ, 

Christ's  word  is  simple  and  directs  Shall  never  with  my  spirit  Stay, 

To  him,  and  comfort  brings.  By  grace  1  will  resist.                 M. 


NOVEMBER   19.  S2r 

Good  and  upright  is  the  Lord,  therefore  icill  he  teach 
sinners  in  the  xvay.... Psalm  xxv.  8. 

Here  are  two  characters  the  most  opposite :  a  good  and  upright 
Lord.. ..wicked  and  perverse  sinners.  Good  and  upright  as  the  Lord 
is,  he  might  justly  damn  sinners  :  but  no,  O  condescending  grace  ! 
he  will  not  leave  sinners  to  perish  in  their  ignorance  and  obstinacy : 
he  will  teach  them.  It  is  said  of  one,  that  after  his  conversion  he 
could  scarce  mention  the  name  of  Jesus  without  a  tear.  O,  had  it 
not  been  for  his  redemption,  no  sinner  would  have  had  divine  teach- 
ing !  but  all  whom  Christ  has  redeemed  by  his  blood  the  Spirit 
teaches  by  his  power :  this  is  his  ofnce  in  the  covenant  of  grace. 
This  implies,  that  so  ignorant  are  sinners  of  divine  truths  that  no 
teaching  besides  the  Lord  the  Spirit  can  instruct  and  make  them  wise 
unto  salvation.  Come,  sinner,  come  down  from  the  altitudes  of  thy 
fancied  wisdom  and  boasted  knowledge,  and  learn  this  humbling 
truth  to-night.  If  thou  seest  thy  own  ignorance  and  thy  want  of 
being  divinely  taught,  rejoice  at  this  declaration.  Cry  to  the  Spirit, 
Lord  teach  me.  He  will  teach.  Who?  Only  such  as  are  good 
and  upright  like  himself?  No;  but  such  as  are  of  a  contrary  charac- 
ter, sinners  :  whose  camal  minds  are  enmity  against  his  holy  law 
who  "  are  sold  under  sin,  and  in  M'hose  flesh  dwells  no  good  thing." 
Is  this  thy  character?  The  Lord  will  teach  such.. ..in  the  way. 
What  way  ?  Not  in  the  way  of  sin,  that  is  contrary  to  his  holiness; 
not  in  the  way  of  self-righteousness,  that  is  contrary  to  his  truth  : 
but  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ,  who  is  the  way,  the  way  of  access 
to  God,  acceptance  with  God,  justification  before  God,  and  ever- 
lasting life  as  the  free  gift  of  God,  according  to  the  covenant-grace 
and  everlasting  love  of  God.  By  repentance  unto  life  in  this  wav  of 
peace,  in  this  walk  of  faith,  in  this  path  of  love,  truth  and  holiness 
the  Spirit  will  teach  redeemed  sinners  on  earth,  till  he  brings  then\ 
to  glory  :  his  teaching  shall  be  as  effectual  to  their  glorification  as 
the  death  of  Christ  for  their  salvation.  Poor  sinner,  who  like  me 
art  oft  distressed  and  dejected  with  thy  wicked  nature,  take  comfort 
to  night  from  these  two  truths :  till  satan  can  blot  them  out  of 
God's  book,  or  make  us  worse  than  sinners,  they  stand  on  record 
for  our  comfort:  "  Christ  Jesus  came  to  save  sinners."  God  will 
teach  SINNERS.  Look  then  to  the  finished  salvation  of  Jesus  :  look 
to  the  Spirit  to  teach  thee  the  glory  of  it,  to  bear  witness  to  thy  soul 
of  interest  in  it,  and  to  fill  thee  with  joy  and  peace  by  it. 

When'we  consult  with  flesh  and  blood,  Saints,  if  you'd  live  and  walk' in  peace, 
AVe  quit  the  pow'r  of  faith.  Your  reas'ning  pride  forego; 

And  cry,  the  news  of  truth's  too  good,  Look  simply  to  the  God  of  grace, 
Rejecting  what  God  saith.  Whose  pow'r  can  all  things  do.    M. 


S28  NOVEMBER  20. 

IV/iefi  the  chief  shepherd  shall  appear,  ye  shall  receive  a 
crown  of  glory,  thatfadeth  not  away... A  Pet.  v.  4. 

Peter  speaks  with  the  utmost  confidence  of  the  appearing  of 
Christ,  and  of  all  his  members  being  crowned  in  glory  :  yes,  be 
knew  belter  than  to  make  his  Lord  a  liar  :  for  if  any  one  of  them 
should  perish  in  their  sins,  and  by  the  force  and  fraud  of  satan  be 
dniggcd  down  to  hell,  then  they  would  lose  their  crown  in  glory. 
But  how  then  would  the  goodness  of  their  shepherd  appear,  if  he 
suffered  this  ?  Peter  never  received  nor  ever  taught  such  devilish, 
damnable  doctrine  :  he  too  well  knew  the  unchangeable  love  of  the 
chief  shepherd :  he  knew  Christ  could  not  be  glorified  nor  would 
his  heavenly  Father  be  satisfied,  without  each  and  every  one  of  his 
chosen,  redeemed,  justified,  believing  members  were  crowned  in 
glory.  He  says,  "  I  am  the  good  shepherd  :  1  know  my  sheep,  I 
give  my  life  for  my  sheep.".... John  x.  If  but  one  of  them  was 
missing,  he  would  ransack  hell  and  the  grave  to  find  him  and  to 
crown  him.  For,  1st.  Christ  is  our  chief  shepherd.  The  sheep 
are  all  his  own.  1st.  By  the  gift  of  his  Father.. ..John  xvii.  2.  2d. 
By  the  purchase  of  his  blood.  Our  souls  are  bought  with  that  pre- 
cious price....  1  Cor.  vi.  20.  3d.  As  a  shepherd,  he  calls  us  and 
gathers  us  to  himself  by  the  grace  of  his  word  and  the  power  of 
his  Spirit.  4th.  He  is  what  no  other  shepherd  can  be,  and  in  this 
he  is  CHIEF  indeed  to  our  souls  :  he  is  our  life.  Our  life  is  not  in 
our  own  keeping  :  it  can  never  be  lost  or  forfeited  :  it  is  in  our  head, 
safe  and  sure,  certain  and  eternal.  Being  in  union  to,  and  com- 
munion -with  Christ  by  faith,  we  now  enjoy  the  earnest  of  glory  in 
tlie  spiritual  blessings  and  comforts  of  this  life.  When  we  find 'our 
hearts  holy  and  happy,  this  is  because  Christ  is  our  life.  When  we 
groan.under  sin,  and  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness,  this  is 
because  Christ  is  our  life.  Thus  Christ,  our  chief  shepherd,  ap- 
pears now  in  the  spirit  and  life  of  our  souls.  2d.  Christ  shall  ap- 
pear. As  verily,  as  he  once  appeared  as  a  mean  man,  and  hung  as 
a  vile  malefactor,  to  put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself;  he 
shall  appear  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints  and  to  be  admired  in  all  them 
who  believe.  But,  says  a  poor  sensible  sinner,  How  shall  I  appear 
before  him  ?  I  deserve  ever  to  be  banished  from  him.  True  ;  but, 
3d.  You  shall  receive  from  him  a  never-fading  crown  of  glory  :  that 
dear  hand  which  was  nailed  to  the  cross  for  you,  shall  be  stretched 
forth  to  croAvn  you.  O  Lord !  Is  it  possible  ?  I  am  not  worthy  of 
this.  True  :  so  you  will  think  to  all  eternity  :  therefore  you  will 
sing,  "Worthy  is  the  Lajib,"  Sec. ..Rev.  v.  12. 


NOVEMBER  21.  329 

Judge  me,  O  Lord,  accoi^ding  to  my  righleou.mess,  and 
according  to  mine  integrity  that  is  in  me....Psalm\n.  8. 

What  !  Is  David  become  a  self-justiciary  ?  Does  he  trust  in, 
and  depend  upon  his  own  righteousness  ?    Does  he  plead  it,  even 
before  the  Lord,  and  expect  justification  by  it  ?  Hath  he  not  else- 
where declared  ?  "  In  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  justified.".... 
Psalm  cxliii.  2.     Why  then  does  he  talk  here  of  my  righteousness  ? 
And  why  does  he  say,  "  The  Lord  reward  me  according  to  my  righ- 
teousness ?".. ..Psalm  xviii.  20.     It  was  far   from  David's  heart  to 
make  his  own   righteousness   the  ground   of  his  acceptance  before 
God,  or  to  place  his  hope  of  eternal  life  in  it.     He  was  a  poor  sin- 
ner :   he  knew  it  full  well  :   he  confesses  it  constantly  to  the  Lord  : 
he  declares  in  point  of  justification,  "  I  will  make  mention  of  tb.y 
righteousness,  even  of  thine  only. "....Psalm  Ixxi.  16.     Why  then 
does  he  here  talk  of  his  own  righteousness  ?  Let  not  this  puzzle  thy 
mind  nor  pervert  thy  judgment,  O  christian.     You  may  also  do  the 
same  in  the  same  sense.     Consider,  David  is  here  speaking  of  false 
calumnies  and  unjust  accusations  brought  against  him  by  Saul  his 
cruel  and  unkind  enemy.     Hast  not  thou  met  with  the  same  treat- 
ment ?    Has  thy  conscience  acquitted  thee  of  what  has  been  laid  to 
thy  charge  ?   Hast  thou  known  that  thy  hands  were  clean,  thy  heart 
pure,  and  thine  integrity  free  from  base  imputation  ?  Tlien  thou  hast 
a  right  to  carry  thy  cause  to  thy   Lord  and  to  plead  thy  righteous- 
ness, uprightness  and  integrity  of  conduct,  in  this  sense  before  him  : 
lo  thank  him  for  his  grace  which  kept  thee  from  doing,  as  thy  ene- 
mies  unjustly    charge  thee,  and  enabled  thee  to  do  what  was  just 
and  right :  and  to  beseech  the  Lord  to  save  thee  from  them  who 
unjustly  persecute  thee  :   to  pity  their  cruelty  before  him  :  to  pray 
to  thy  Lord  for  them.     All  this  is  perfectly  consistent  with  thy  faith, 
thy   hope,  and  thy  love.     Study  to  profit  by  thy  enemies'  treatment. 
Cease  ye  from  man.     Like  thy  Lord,  learn  obedience  by  the  thinga 
which  you  suffer.. ..Heb.  v.  8.     Commit  thy  cause  unto  the  Lord. 
Be  assured  he  will  deliver  thee  from  unreasonable  and  wicked  men  : 
"  For  all  men  have  not  faith."....2  Thess.  iii.  2.     A  christian's  moral 
character  should  be  held  most  sacred  by  him.     Righteousness,  in- 
tegrity and  uprightness  to  all  men,  should  ever  be  practised  by  him, 
that  the  way  of  truth  be  not  blamed  on  his  account.     O,  it  grieves 
one  to  the  very  heart,  when  professors  give  cause  to  the  enemies  of 
Christ  to  say,  see  here  are  your  saints  !  They  pay  no  regard  to  mo- 
ral righteousness  and  integrity  !   Be  careful  to  "  give  no, offence  in 
any  thing,  that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed.". ...2  Cor.  vi.  3. 

The  rule  of  right,  the  way  that's  jnst,  Dear  Lord,  I  daily  need  thy  grace, 
O  may  I  ever  prize  !  Each  duty  to  fulfil, 

Tho'  in  my  works  1  dare  not  trust,  Blameless  to  walk  before  thy  face. 
Yet  works  faith  justifies.  Tho'  charg'd  with  ev'ry  ill.       M. 

Vol.  IL  S  s 


530  NOVEMBER  22. 

Co?}ie  and  see...  John  \.  39. 

Thus  replies  the  Lamb  of  God  to  an  enquiry  after  where  he 
dwelt.  How  came  these  two  disciples  of  John  to  make  this  enquiry  ? 
John  had  pointed  them  from  himself  to  Jesus,  with,  behold  thk 
Lamb  of  God.  Just  as  thoug^h  he  had  said,  "  Look  at  that  dear 
inan  :  take  special  notice  of  him  :  he  has  a  whole  world  of  sinners 
to  save  :  he  loved  them  from  all  eternity  :  he  is  come  as  an  inno- 
cent, meek  Lamb,  to  be  slain  as  a  sacrifice  for  them  ;  and  his  pre- 
cious blood  taketh  away  all  their  sins.  You  and  I  are  poor  mise- 
rable sinners^  We  have  no  object  to  look  to  but  that  Lamb.  Nothing 
can  take  away  our  sins:  nothing  can  bring  pardon  to  our  hearts,  peace 
to  our  consciences,  and  salvation  to  our  souls,  but  his  blood:  nothing- 
can  make  us  holy  and  happy  here  on  earth,  but  looking  to  and  living 
upon  this  Lamb  of  God.  Tliey  believed  this  :  no  wonder  then  that 
they  folIoAved  Jesus  and  asked  him,  "  where  dwellest  thou?"  He  said, 
COME  AND  SEE.  O  what  a  sweet,  free  and  loving  invitation  is  here  t 
Just  so  it  is  now  that  disciples  are  gathered  to  Jesus.  His  ministers 
preach  of,  and  point  poor  lost  sinners  to  him :  they  tell  of  the  love  of 
his  tender  heart,  the  virtue  of  his  precious  blood,  and  the  lamb-like 
meekncssof  his  nature  to  receive  every  poor  sinner  who  comes  to  him : 
hence  poor,  sin-sick  souls,  dejected,  distressed  hearts,  and  troubled 
minds,  hear,  are  encouraged,  and  follow  him.  He  turns  and  sees,  and 
asks  them,  "  What  seek  yc  ?"  They  ask  him,  where  dwellest  thou  ? 
Then  saith  Jesus,  come  and  see.  Come,  and  live  with  me,  upon 
all  the  fulness  of  grace  which  I  have  for  your  needy  souls.  Come 
AND  see  all  the  fulness  of  my  salvation  for  your  destroyed  souls; 
the  full  atonement  my  blood  has  made  for  your  sins  ;  the  glo- 
lious  righteousness  I  have  wrought  out  to  justify  your  persons  ; 
the  peace  I  have  made  on  the  cross  for  your  souls.  Comk 
AND  SEE  tliat  this  iseflectually  and  for  ever  done,  and  is  fully  to  be 
enjoyed  by  faith.  Hence  learn,  1st.  There  cannot  an  inquiry  arise 
in  a  poor  sinner's  mind  concerning  Christ,  but  he  has  a  meek  and 
loving  answer  to  give.  He  has  compassion  on  the  ignorant  and 
them  who  are  out  of  the  way.  2d.  Do  Me  enquire  where  Christ 
dwells  ?  He  answers,  come  and  see.  I,  the  high  and  lofty  one  who 
inhabitcth  eternity,  dwell  also  in  your  nature :  I  became  llcsh  for 
you,  that  you  may  freely  come  to  me,  joyfully  see,  and  richly  par- 
take of  my  fulness  to  supply  all  your  wants  and  all  your  need.  3d. 
Here  is  a  free  invitation  :  come  and  see.  Without  money.  You 
have  nothing  to  bring.  Come,  see,  and  enjoy  all  freely  without 
money  and  without  price.  Lastly,  Jesus  will  soon  say,  cosnc  and 
see  all  the  glory  of  my  kin  gdom  above.  Glory  be  to  thee,  O 
Lord. 


'    NOVEMBER  23.  331 

Freelx)  ye  have  received^  free.lx)  give... ,Malt.  x.  8. 

CHRiSTspake  these  words  to  his  apostles.  They  had  their  com- 
mission immediHtely  from  him,  to  preach  his  everlasting  gospel. 
Many  of  the  clergy,  who  pretend  to  be  their  successors,  cannot 
receive  this  saying.  Their  learned  lumber,  (because  unsanctified) 
cost  them  too  much,  to  be  dispensed  for  nought.  Free-grace  truths 
they  cannot  give  freely  ;  they  have  not  freely  received  them  into 
their  own  hearts.  Hence,  through  ignorance,  they  are  enemies  to 
them  and  oppose rs  of  them.  Expect  to  receive  nothing  from  such 
unconverted  ministers:  pity  them:  pray  for  them:  avoid  their 
errors:  be  courteous  to  their  persons.  Private  christians  as  well 
as  ministers  have  freely  received  out  of  the  fulness  of  Christ; 
therefore,  O  soul,  you  and  I  are  concerned  in  these  words.  1st. 
What  have  we  received  ?  The  free  favor  of  Cod,  in  the  rich  grace 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  comprehends  all  things  from  God: 
this  includes  aJl  things  in  God.  Have  we  repentance  unto  life  ?  It 
is  by  his  grace.  Have  we  faith  in,  hope  on,  and  love  to  Christ  ? 
All  springs  from  the  grace  of  Christ.  Have  we  a  new  heart,  spiri- 
tual affections,  holy  desires?  The  grace  of  God  bestowed  them. 
How?  2d.  Frkklv.  Like  the  lillies  of  the  field  they  toil  not,  nei- 
ther do  they  spin,  to  oljluin  their  rich  fragrance  and  beautiful  tinge. 
The  God  of  nature  freely  bestows  both  :  so  on  us  he  freely  bestows 
the  riches  of  his  grace.  Neither  by  toil  could  we  perform  con- 
ditions, nor  by  spinning  fulfil  terms  to  entitle  ourselves  to  it.  We 
have  freely  received  life  from  the  dead,  justification  from  condem- 
nation, pardon  from  guilt,  sanctification  from  unlioliness,  the  as- 
sured hope  of  heaven  from  the  dread  of  hell.  O  consider  the  rich 
and  free  bounty  of  the  giver,  the  misery  and  unworthiness  of  the 
receiver:  and  say,  art  not  thou  bound  to  obey  his  command.  3d. 
Freely  give.. ..thyself,  thy  whole  soul  and  body,  gifts  and  abili- 
ties, time  and  talents  to  Ciod  the  justifier  ;  to  Jesus  the  Redeemer  ; 
and  to  the  Spirit  the  sanctifier.  Freely  give  the  hatred  of  thy  heart 
to  thy  sins,  the  abhorrence  of  thy  soul  to  satan,  contempt  of  thy 
spirit  to  a  vain  world,  love  to  thy  brethren  in  Christ,  pity  to  thy 
fellow  sinners,  good  will  to  all  men,  and  food  to  thine  own  soul  daily, 
from  Christ  and  the  word  of  his  grace.  This  is  the  sweet  exercise 
of  faith,  through  the  power  of  the  Spirit.  Thus  free-grace  ope- 
rates upon  new-born  souls  :  "They  gave  their  own  selves  unto  the 
Lord. "....2  Cor.  viii.  5.  O  the  power  of  this  truth  I  "Christ  gave 
himself  for  our  sins."....Gal.  i.  4. 

Lord.  I  am  thine,  redecm'd  by  grace,  I-et  free-grace  love  be  all  my  boast, 

I  freely  give  myself  to  thee  :  For  worth  and  worthiness  I've  none, 

By  povv'r  divine  I  seek  thy  face,  1  feel  that  operates  the  most. 

How  matchless  is  thy  love  to  rue!  To  love  the  Lord  for  all  he'sdone.  M. 


332  NOVEMBER  24. 

BcJiold  my  servant  ivhom  I  upJiold,  mine  elect  in  zchofn 
mil  soul  deligli teth .... Isa.  xlii .  1 . 

Angels  reproved  disciples  of  old  with,  "  Why  stand  yc  gaz- 
ing up  into  heaven  ?".... Acts  i.  1 1.  How  much  do  we  deserve  this 
reproof !  Why  stand  ye  gazing  upon  the  vanities  of  the  earth  ?  Soul, 
what  art  thou  looking  at  I  What  is  the  object  of  thy  attention  to- 
night ?  Be  it  what  it  may,  God  calleth  to  thee,  and  demands  audi- 
ence of  him  and  attention  to  him.  It  is  for  your  comfort  and  his 
glory.  The  majesty  of  heaven  speaks  to  sinful  worms  of  the  earth. 
Bkhold  :  take  off  your  eyes  and  thoughts  from  every  object:  be 
all  eye,  ear  and  attention  to  me.  Ye  poor,  miserable,  laAV-con- 
demned,  sin-distressed  souls,  look  at  and  take  special  notice  of  my 
SERVANT.  Wonder,  adore,  rejoice  and  love.  My  beloved,  my  co- 
equal Son,  who  is  Lord  of  all,  becomes  man,  takes  en  him  the 
form  of  a  servant,  to  do  my  will  perfectly  and  to  finish  your  salva- 
tion completely.  Whom  I  uphold  :  carnal  reason  bow  :  satanic 
pride  avaunt:  high  thouglils  submit  to  faith's  mystery.  Not  a  God 
upheld  by  a  God,  but  a  perfect  man  upheld  by  a  perfect  God.  Christ, 
as  perfect  man,  was  too  weak  to  sustain  the  ponderous  load  of  a 
world  of  sin,  and  to  support  the  suffering  of  divine  wrath,  in  aton- 
ing for  sin  and  satisfying  divine  justice  :  therefore,  all  the  fulness  of 
the  godhead  dwelt  in  him  bodily,  to  uphold  his  manhood,  O  sin- 
ners, in  your  precious  Saviour  behold  the  man  :  adore  the  God. 
Mine  elect.  Christ  was  chosen  to  the  office  of  God's  servant  and 
our  Saviour  ;  chosen  in  the  eternal  council  and  covenant  before 
time,  to  assume  human  nature  in  the  fulness  of  tiine.  In  whom 
MY  soul  delighteth.  Says  St.  John,  "  We  know  that  we  arc  of 
God."....  1  John  V.  19.  How?  By  this  sure  mark,  this  infallible  evi- 
dence, Ave  are  of  one  mind  with  God.  Doth  God's  soul  delight  in 
the  person  and  work  of  his  beloved  Son  :  so  doth  ours.  Is  God's 
soul  delighted  that  Christ  hath  satisfied  his  justice,  magnified  and 
made  honorable  his  law,  and  finished  salvation  for  miserable  sin- 
ners? So  is  ours.  Then,  as  surely  as  our  souls  delight  in  Christ, 
the  Lord's  soul  delights  in  us.  We  are  called  Hephzibah,  that  is, 
the  Lord's  pleasure  is  in  thee.  Thou  art  married  to  him.  His  soul 
delighteth  over  thee....Isa.  Ixii.  4.  He  hath  given  his  Spirit  to 
thee  :  for,  says  Christ,  he  shall  receive  of  mine,  my  love,  my 
atonement,  my  redemption,  my  righteousness,  my  salvation,  my 
resurrection,  ascension  and  intercession,  and  shall  shew  it  unto  you. 
Thus  he  shall  glorify  me  in  your  eyes  and  in  your  hearts.... John 
xvi.  14. 

God  calls,  my  son!  attend.  This  is  the  joy  of  faith  : 

Behold  his  precious  Son,  Thia  is  the  spring  of  love  : 

In  form  of  servant  he  did  send,  Behold  this  to  thy  latest  breath: 

Salvation  work  he's  done.  Of  this  thou'lt  sing  above.  M. 


NOVEMBER  25.  333 

Let  me  see  tlie  king's  face.... 2  Sam.  xiv.  32. 

Bki  ovED  Absalom  was  now  in  a  state  of  exile  from  his  royal 
father:  he  had  shed  his  brother  Amnon's  blood  :  the  kin;jj  was  en- 
raged against  him.  Though  he  suffered  Absalom  to  return  to  his 
own  house  at  Jemsalem,  yet,  says  he,  "  let  him  not  see  my  face." 
Stiil  there  was  love,  great  love  in  David's  heart  towards  his  son. 
Thus,  O  believer,  thy  heavenly  Father  may  hide  away  his  face  in 
anger  because  of  thy  provocations  :  that's  thy  hell.  But  his  love 
never  abates  ;  it  is  always  the  same  towards  thee,  from  everlasting 
toeverlasliag:  that's  thy  heaven  to  know.  Was  it  not  so,  hell  had 
long  since  been  thy  poition  and  mine.  C)  think  of,  believe  in,  re- 
joice for,  everlasting,  unchangeable  love  ;  love,  that  will  never  be 
v/earied  out  by  thy  sins,  till  it  h^ith  brought  the  soul  where  sin  and 
sorrow  shall  be  no  more  for  ever.  But,  was  Absalom  quiet  and  easy 
to  return  to  his  house  at  Jerusalem?  No  ;  amidst  all  his  enjoyments, 
there  was.  a  fly  in  the  pot :  his  mind  was  corroded  :  his  heart  un- 
happy. Why  ?  The  king  would  not  see  him  :  and,  as  though  he 
had  but  this  one  desire  in  his  soul,  and  all  other  enjoyments  were 
nothing  without  this,  says  he,  "Let  me  sek  the  king's  face." 
He  could  not  rest  till  this  request  was  granted  him.  Some  folk* 
are  very  fond  of  having  their  fortimes  told.  O  souJ,  dost  thou  de- 
sire to  know  thy  state  ?  Thou  mayest  very  easily  know  to-night 
whether  thou  art  in  the  way  to  heiiven  or  hell.  Is  it  the  one  desire 
of  thy  soul  to  see  the  king's  face?  The  face  of  the  King  of  kings.... 
.the  king  of  saints,  the  friend  of  sinners?  Is  thy  soul  restless  and 
unsatisfied  without  this  sight?  Though  surrounded  with  all  that 
heart  can  wish,  yet  art  thou  saying  ?  "  Lord,  I  cannot  live  at  a  dis- 
tance from  thee,  without  the  smiles  of  thy  love,  the  sight  of  thy 
reconciled  face  in  Jesus.  Lord,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
tenance upon  me  and  I  shall  be  whole,  quite  happy  and  comfortable. 
The  light  of  thy  countenance  will  make  me  exceeding  glad.  In 
thy  smiles  is  heaven  :  in  thy  frowns  is  hell."  Here  is  a  blessed 
and  sure  evidence  that  thou  art  a  child  of  God  :  here  is  a  proof 
of  thy  faith  and  the  regeneration  of  thy  soul.  It  is  disposed  to 
God  ;  has  a  loving  desire,  an  earnest  pressing  after  enjoying  the 
comforts  of  his  Spirit,  a  sight  of  his  face  and  a  sense  of  his  love. 
You  will  not,  you  cannot  rest  upon  doctrines  of  grace,  without  ex- 
periencing the  grace  of  the  doctrines  in  your  heart ;  not  be  satis- 
fied with  believing  the  everlasting  love  of  God,  without  feeling  it 
shed  abroad  in  your  heart,  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Love  cannot  bear  absent  to  live,  It  makes  me  daily  cry  and  grieve, 

At  distance  from  its  Lord  :  'Till  nearness  he  afford.  M. 


334  NOVEMBER  26. 

Biifailh  the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down.... Heh.  xi.  30. 

Doubtless  this  story  has  been  food  for  the  profane  wit  of 
scoffing  infidels.  To  see  Joshua  and  his  army,  with  seven  priests 
blowing  ram's  horns,  marching  round  Jericho,  once  every  day,  and 
ON  the  seventh  day,  seven  times,  what  could  the  men  of  Jericho 
think?  Doubtless,  that  it  was  the  foolish  parade  of  a  set  of  weak- 
headed  men.  Had  they  told  them,  behold  on  the  seventh  day's 
blowing  of  the  ram's  horns,  the  strong  walls  of  your  city  shall  fall 
down  at  our  shouting,  without  any  human  power,  they  would  have 
laughed  them  to  scorn  as  a  set  of  dreaming  enthusiasts.  The  obe- 
dience of  faith  is  the  scorn  and  ridicule  of  carnal  men.  What  of 
that  ?  Our  Lord  was  pleased  with  it.  They  had  his  word  for  their 
warrant  ;  they  believed  his  word  :  they  did  as  he  commanded  :  the 
event  was  as  he  promised  :  the  Lord  soon  made  it  manifest  who 
were  the  fools  and  madmen.  But,  1st.  Why  is  it  said,  "  By  faith 
the  walls  of  Jericho  fell  down  ?  Was  not  this  effected  by  the  power 
of  God?  Yes,  but  it  was  according  to  the  faith  of  the  Israelites, 
and  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God,  which  was  the  ground  of  their  t 
f-iith.  Divine  faith  and  divine  truth  are  inseparable.  So  it  is  said, 
"  by  faith  we  are  justified,  and  have  peace  with  God."....Rom.  v.  1, 
"  Yet  it  is  God  who  iustifieth."....Rom.  viii.  33.  Faith  has  no  more 
hand  in  procuring  justification  than  the  Israelites  had  in  throwing- 
down  the  walls  of  Jericho  ?  The  righteousness  of  Christ  solely  ob- 
tains this  for  us.  But  as  they  did,  so  we  do  by  faith,  shout,  Christ 
and  salvation.  All  opposition  from  sin  and  satan  fall  before  us  :  we 
see  the  kingdom  of  heaven  open  to  us.  2d.  Here  was  the  obedi- 
ence of  faith.  Though  to  carnal  sense  and  reason,  the  means 
commanded  were  even  ridiculous,  yet  they  obeyed.  Study  the 
Lord's  word:  obey  his  will:  attend  his  ordinances:  look  to  the 
Lord  for  the  promised  blessing.  3d.  Here  is  the  patience  of  faith. 
They  encompassed  the  city  seven  days  and  repeated  their  work. 
O  christian  be  not  weary  :  hold  on  and  hold  out  till  the  seventh  day, 
the  sabbath  of  thy  eternal  rest  comes.  Says  Bishop  Hall,  "  A  good 
heart  groans  under  his  infirmities  :  fain  woidd  he  be  rid  of  them  : 
strives  and  prays:  but  when  he  hath  done  all,  until  the  end  of  the 
seventh  day,  it  cannot  be."  But,  4th.  At  God's  time  the  walls  fell : 
not  one  moment  sooner.  His  word  cannot  fail.  So,  believer,  at 
God's  appointed  time  (you  are  immortal  till  then)  shall  your  body, 
the  prison  walls  of  your  soul,  fall.  O  then  faith  may  shout,  "  for 
there  remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God."...  Jleb.  iv.  9. 

Faith  looks  at  God's  omnipotence.  Increase  our  faith,  thou  dearest  Lord, 
Consults  not  reason  vain :  That  we  may  shout  thy  praise, 

Soars  far  above  our  sight  and  sense,  Get  daily  comfort  from  thy  word, 
Faith  is  our  precious  gain.  Of  pardon,  love  and  grace.        M, 


NOVEMBER  27.  335 

He  received  from  God  the  Father,  honor  and  glory,  ivhe?i 
there  came  such  a  voice  to  him  from  the  excellent  gloj'ij. 

This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  i\:hom  I  am  well  pleased 

2  Pet.  i.  17. 

These  words  furnish  poor  sinners  with  matter  for  sweet  medi- 
tation. Spirit  ot  truth,  help  us  to  see  the  honor  and  glory  of  the 
Father  and  Son  in  them,  and  to  get  comfort  from  them.  Here  is, 
1st.  A  silencing  answer  to  that  objection,  you  rob  God  the  Father  of 
his  honor  and  glory  by  ascribing  so  much  to  his  Son  Jesus.  Have 
you  never  been  baited  with  this  temptation  ?  It  comes  from  the  enemy 
of  God  and  sinners.  Can  two  walk  together  except  they  be  agreed  ? 
But  God  and  we  are  agreed.  Our  faith  puts  all  the  honor  and  glory 
of  our  salvation  upon  God's  beloved  Son ;  there  God  himself  puts 
it :  in  his  beloved  Son,  God  is  well  pleased,  and  Avith  us  also  in' 
him.  2d.  Here  see  the  nature  of  faith :  it  causes  the  soul  both  to 
imitate  and  obey  God,  and  to  be  well  pleased  with  what  God  is,  the 
dear  man,  the  beloved  Son  of  God.  3d.  Though  to  the  eye  of 
nature  Jesus  appeared  as  a  mere  man  in  abject  poverty,  contempti- 
ble meanness,  and  lowest  abasement ;  yet  the  Father  gives  them  the 
highest  honor  and  glory  because  he  magnified  his  holy  law  and  made 
it  honorable  :  satisfied  his  divine  justice,  and  brought  everlasting 
honor  and  glory  to  every  attribute  and  perfection  of  his  nature. 
So  that  now,  "God  is  just,  and  the  justifier  of  sinners  who  believe 
in  Jesus."  Then  under  a  sight  and  sense  of  your  ruined  nature, 
•  innumerable  sins,  and  dreadful  apostasies  from  God,  put  honor  and 
glory  upon  the  Son  of  God  this  night:  his  work  and  salvation  God 
is  well  pleased  with  ;  it  has  satisfied  heaven  for  all  thy  sins;  let  thy 
conscience  be  satisfied  with  Jesus,  and  glory  of  him  and  in  him 
alone.  For  thy  encouragement  herein,  4th.  Consider  Peter,  who 
wrote  these  words:  he*  was  honored  to  be  on  the  mount:  saw  his 
Lord's  transfiguration  :  heard  these  words  from  the  excellent  glory  : 
and  yet,  O  shocking  to  think  of!  this  same  Peter,  with  horrid 
oaths  and  curses,  denied  that  he  knew  the  man  whom  God  the  Fa- 
ther had  so  lately  honored  and  glorified :  yet  there  was  an  inexpres- 
sible fulness  of  grace  in  Jesus  for  him.  Out  of  Christ's  fulness, 
Peter  received  grace  upon  grace,  whereby  he  was  recovered  from 
his  fall,  restored  to  repentance,  and  preserved  to  salvation.  O  may 
the  dear  Saviour  look  our  hearts  into  godly  sorrow  and  holv  love, 
that  we  may  say,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Saviour  in  whom  I  am  well 
pleased." 

If  God  in  Jesus  is  well  pleas'd,  O  Lamb  of  God,  we  lift  our  eyes 

Such  glory  to  him  gave,  Up  to  thy  gracious  throne, 

We  ne'er  can  honor  Christ  too  much,  Grant  us  thee  daily  m  jre  to  prize, 
Who  came  our  seuls  to  save,  ,     And  call  thee,  Lord,  our  own.     M, 


335  NOVEMBER  28. 

I  saij  unto  all,  xcatcJi....MarJi  xiii.  37. 

It  is  very  awful,  -when  God's  precious  promises  are  opposed  to 
his  rigliteous  commands  :  hence  some  get  above  and  beyond  duty: 
they  cannot  bear  the  word  duty  !  O,  say  they,  don't  tell  us  of  duty, 
it  is  such  legal  stuff!  We  are  at  liberty  :  we  are  not  under  the  law, 
but  under  grace  :  true,  indeed  they  are  at  liberty,  but  it  is  to  per- 
Tert  the  gospel :  they  are  awfully  under  the  law  of  sin  ;  not  under 
the  law  of  love,  but  the  spirit  of  delusion  :  their  ears  are  closed  and 
their  hearts  shut  against  the  sweet  voice  of  our  loving  charmer, 
Christ.  O,  my  soul,  watch  against  such,  and  their  licentious  notions 
of  liberty,  as  you  prize  the  loA-e  of  Christ  and  sweet  communion 
with  him.  He  who  sees  no  danger,  and  thinks  he  has  nothing  to 
lose,  will  give  no  attention  to  this  command,  watch.  It  is  here 
opposed  to  sleep.  Sin  is  not  dead :  satan  never  sleeps  :  the  world 
ever  invites  and  enchants:  all  is  at  war  against  thee;  therefore  thy 
Lord  in  love  calls  unto  thee,  watch.  And  you  have  a  most  treach- 
erous, most  deceitful,  and  desperately  wicked  foe  within,  who  ever 
takes  part  with  your  enemies  without,  even  your  heart,  "out  of 
which  proceed  all  evils.".. .. Matt.  xv.  19.  There  is  not  an  evil  in 
our  thoughts,  in  our  tongue,  or  in  our  life,  but  what  is  first  hatched 
there  and  springs  from  thence.  If  there  was  no  evil  within,  there 
would  be  none  without.  Satan  finds  something  within  us  to  work 
upon  or  we  might  bid  him  defiance  :  Ave  cannot  say  as  our  Lord  did, 
''  the  prince  of  this  Avorld  cometh,  and  hath  nothing  in  me. "....John 
xiv.  30.  No,  but  we  have,  as  Paul  had,  an  evil  nature,  "  flesh,  in 
which  dwelleth  no  good  thing.". ...Rom.  vii.  IS.  O  then,  watch  con- 
tinually over  the  motions  of  your  -wicked  heart  and  evil  nature : 
watch  against  high  thoughts,  which  spring  from  pride;  against  car- 
nal reasonings,  which  exalt  themselves  against  thy  Lord  and  his 
truths,  and  tend  to  rob  thee  of  thy  peace,  thy  hope,  and  thy  joy. 
Watch  against  that  vile  brat  of  pride  and  carnal  reason,  cursed  un- 
l)elief.  O  this  is  a  many-headed  monster:  he  will  suggest  that  truth 
is  fiction,  the  way  of  holiness  folly,  and  the  paths  of  sin  delightful: 
"  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter  not  into  temptation. "....Matt.  xxvi. 
41.  Join  prayer  to  watching  :  the  diligence  and  number  of  our  ene- 
mies should  urge  us  to  watch,  that  we  be  not  surprized  :  our 
weakness  and  pronencss  to  presumption,  should  make  us  pray  to  be 
])owerfully  strengthened;  for  though  the  devil  takes  part  with  all 
evil  in  us,  Christ  takes  our  part,  and  is  before  the  throne  for  us.... 
Ik-b.  ix.  24. 

My  ^oiil  be  ever  on  thy  guard,  O  may  I  ever  hear  thy  voice. 

Still  waich  and  keep  thy  armour  on,      Jesur,,  thou  captain  of  my  soul, 
He  ever  lool<ing  to  thy  Lord,  So  live  and  walk,  as  to  rejoice 

And  I;;io\r  thou  canst  not  stated  alone-    In  thee,  who  dost  my  pow'rs  controHl. 

M. 


NOVEMBER  29.  537 

2  zvas  alive  zvitliout  the  law  once:  bid  ivhen  the  command- 
ment  came,  sin  revived,  and  I  died....Bo?n.  vii.  9. 

Would  you  read  the  best  experience  of  a  true  believer  in 
Christ  that  ever  was  wrote?  Here  it  is  in  this  chapter.  Try  your 
own.  Judge  of  others  by  this.  Commend  me  to  holy,  humble 
Paul's  experience.  If  we  are  taught  by  the  same  Spirit,  ours  will 
answer  to  his,  as  face  does  to  face  in  a  glass,  in  the  following  parti- 
culars. Isl.  A  sense  of  sin  will  he  revived  in  the  conscience,  which  no 
human  palliatives  or  lulling  opiates  can  keep  in  a  swoon  any  longer. 
You  will  so  see,  feel  and  be  sensible  of  its  dread  and  terror,  that 
you  will  confess  yourself  to  be  totally  destroyed  by  it,  and  your  case 
to  be  quite  desperate  under  it.  2d.  This  is  effected  by  the  law  : 
*'  For  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin.'  '....Rom.  iii.  20.  "  When 
the  commandment  came,"  that  is,  when  the  purity  and  spirituality 
of  the  holy  and  perfect  law  of  God  comes  into  your  heart  and  con- 
science, then  you  see  that  it  requires  truth  and  perfection  of  obe- 
dience in  the  inward  parts  as  well  as  in  the  outward  walk.  You  see 
you  have  it  not :  you  find  it  as  much  impossible  for  you,  a  sinner,  to 
fulfil  God's  holy  law,  as  it  is  for  you  to  create  a  world.  Then,  3d. 
You  die  :  you  become  as  a  dead  man.  Seeing  the  exceeding  sinful- 
ness of  sin  in  you  and  the  dreadful  curse  of  the  law  hanging  over 
you,  all  hopes  of  life  forsake  you.  Sin  and  the  law  live  within  you; 
they  pierce  your  soul  to  the  quick.  The  law  adds  strength  to  sin. 
You  can  no  longer  flatter  yourself  that  your  state  is  good,  that  you 
can  do  any  thing  to  bring  yourself  upon  good  terms  with  God  :  you 
have  now  done  with  all  works  of  righteousness  to  that  end:  you  can 
have  no  more  hope  from  your  obedience  to  the  law,  than  from  your 
transgressions  against  it :  you  see  yourself  sin  in  all  that  you  are 
and  in  all  that  you  do.  But,  4th.  The  hand  of  the  comforter  is  in 
all  tliis.  His  loving  design  is  to  bring  you  to  live  by  the  faith  of  the 
Son  of  God.  Instead  of  looking  to  and  living  by  your  own  righte- 
ousness, you  are  to  live  wholly  and  solely  upon  his  life  and  by  his 
righteousness.  But  while  alive  without  the  law,  and  striving  to  ful- 
fil the  law,  you  overlook  Christ,  slight  his  righteousness,  think 
your  own  better  to  trust  to  than  his.  Now  the  Spirit  keeps  alive  sin 
and  the  law  in  you  for  this  very  purpose,  to  make  you  wretched  in 
self  and  happy  in  Christ.  All  experiences  that  do  not  effect  this, 
arc  not  worth  a  straw.  Christ  is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteous- 
ness, to  everyone  that  believcth....Rom.  x.  4. 

When  dead  in  sin.  I  was  alive,  Think,  O  my  soul,  with  grateful  joy, 

And  strong  in  lesjal  confidence;  When  legal  terrors  thee  bc'-et. 

But  Christ  me  lov'd  and  would  not  leave  Christ  sav'd  thee  from  the  fiery  law, 
My  soul,  imder  such  false  pretence.       And  brought  to  thee  salvation  sweet. 

M. 
Vol.  II.  T  t 


338  NOVEMBER  30. 

Be  content  with  such  things  as  ye  have:  for  he  hath  said^ 
I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee....Heb.  xiii.  5. 

Preach  content  to  a  covetous,  carnal  man,  and  you  will  just 
have  the  same  success  as  if  you  bid  the  surging  billows  be  calm  or 
the  boisterous  winds  be  still.  He  possesses  nothing  which  can  give 
true  content  to  his  mind.  Has  he  riches  ?  They  are  a  curse  to  him  : 
for  be  himself  is  under  the  curse  of  the  law.  O  believer  was  not 
this,  in  a  certain  sense,  your  case  also,  you  stand  in  no  need  of  this 
exhortation,  "Be  content."  You  are  the  subject  of  a  carnal  na- 
ture :  this  is  under  the  curse  of  the  law  :  for  this  is  ever  dissatis- 
fied, craving  for  more,  nturmuring  against  the  dispensations  of  the 
Lord.  Know  and  consider  this  :  be  humble  :  be  watchful.  Consi- 
der, 1st.  What  good  things  of  this  life  you  have.  Be  they  little  or 
much,  do  you  deserve  them  ?  Have  you  a  right  to  challenge  more 
from  God,  the  giver  of  them  ?  Here  set  your  foot,  and  let  conscience 
answer  nature's  cravings.  2d.  Consider  what  spiritual  things  you 
have.  1  st.  You  have  the  everlasting,  unchangeable  love  of  a  cove- 
nant God  and  Father  fixed  on  you.  2d.  The  life,  death,  and  inter- 
cession of  God  the  Son,  for  your  righteousness,  atonement,  and 
salvation.  3d.  As  a  consequence  of  this,  and  that  you  may  know 
and  be  sure  of  this,  the  Spirit  has  bestowed  his  graces  upon  you. 
Hence  you  have  faith  in  Christ,  hope  towards  God,  love  to  him, 
delight  in  him,  a  heart  to  cry  to  him,  a  will  to  please  him,  a  desire 
to  walk  holily  before  him.  And,  4th.  To  encourage  and  enable  to 
this,  you  have  all  his  precious  promises  in  Christ :  these  are  the 
Staff  of  your  faith,  the  support  of  your  hope,  and  the  joy  of  your 
soul.  What  want  you  more?  Paul  sums  up  all  in  one  word  :  "  all 
THINGS  are  yours."....  1  Cor.  iii.  22.  Is  not  this  enough  to  make 
you  content  ?  No,  say  you,  I  find  myself  such  a  vile  sinner,  I  am 
afraid  I  shall  forfeit  all  these  things  :  so  you  would  before  the  next 
setting  sun,  if  you  stood  in  yourself,  but  you  are  in  Christ  ;  there- 
fore, here  is  a  covenant  promise  from  a  faithful  God  for  you,  "  I  will 
never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee."  This  is  a  most  precious  word  for 
you  :  fasten  upon  it :  draw  comfort,  derive  content  from  it.  Some 
who  spoil  texts  and  mar  comforts,  cry,  O  this  regards  things  of  this 
life  only.  Well,  surely  if  God  loves  his  people's  bodies,  he  will 
never  forsake  their  souls:  and  to  silence  all  the  cavils  of  unbelief, 
the  words  run,  no,  I  will  not  leave  thee,  no,  no,  I  will  not  forsake 
thee.  Here  are  five  negatives.  "  Be  not  faithless  but  believing.".... 
John  XX.  27. 

With  such  a  promise  in  my  heart.  Content  is  to  be  found  in  God, 
My  soul  cleave  close  to  God,  lii  nothing  el.  e  beside  ; 

Cause  ajl  base  murmrin^s  to  depart  He'll  ne'er  tor.  aUe  us  ihro'  the  road, 
Which  do  gainsay  his  word.  But  to  the  end  will  guide.  M. 


DECEMBER   I.  339 

These  all  died  in  faith....  Heb.  xi.  13. 

An  ofRcer  in  the  navy,  who  held  me  exceedingly  in  derision  on 
account  of  religion,  fell  dangerously  ill.  To  my  great  surprize  he 
sent  for  me.  I  found  him  in  distress  of  soul:  spoke  freely  to  him 
of  our  lost  estate,  of  Christ's  love  and  salvation,  and  prayed  with 
him.  He  wept  sore,  clapping  his  hands  to  his  breast,  he  cried  out, 
"  O  my  God,  have  I  got  a  soul  ?"  As  though  he  had  never  known  it 
before.  Turning  to  the  place  where  I  kneeled,  he  said,  "  Where 
have  I  lived  that  I  never  heard  these  things  before  ?  O,  I  shall  never 
forget  what  I  have  heard  this  night  1"  I  visited  him  to  his  last  mo- 
ments, and  trust  he  died  in  the  faith,  and  hope  to  see  him  in  glory. 
"Heaven  is  a  house  full  of  the  miracles  of  Christ's  free-grace,"  says 
one.  There  is  the  once  idolatrous  Manasseh  ;  the  murdering,  adul- 
terous David:  the  persecuting  Saul  ;  the  Christ-denying  Peter,  8cc. 
O  my  God,  shall  wretched  I  be  there?  Yes,  if  I  die  in  the  faith  of 
Christ:  my  vileness,  sinfulness,  and  unworthiness,  do  but  as  it  were 
qualify  me  for  Christ  and  his  free  grace.  Christ  by  his  free  grace 
qualifies  me  for  heaven.  See  the  nature  of  this  faith,  1st.  It  looks 
to  precious  promises  :  though  seen  afar  off,  yet  it  brings  assurance 
of  their  existence  into  the  mind,  and  the  soul  embraces  them.  O 
christian,  when  you  complain  of  your  faith,  you  forget  the  great  and 
precious  promises  which  are  the  ground  and  support  of  it.  2d.  Ft 
not  only  eyes  Christ  in  the  promises,  but  it  receives  Christ,  "  In 
.whom  are  all  the  promises,  yea,  and  amen  to  the  glory  of  God.".... 
2Cor.  i.  20.  O  when  Christ  dwells  in  the  heart  by  faith!  What 
then  ?  3d.  We  confess  ourselves  strangers  and  pilgrims  in  the  earth : 
we  see  we  have  got  a  heavenly  inheritance  :  we  are  only  passing 
through  this  world  to  it.  This  world  is  not  our  home  :  we  are  not 
of  the  world  :  our  hearts  are  above  the  world  :  our  souls  cry  to  be 
at  home  with  our  Father,  God;  our  elder  brother,  Christ;  and  our 
brethren  in  glory.  For,  4th.  With  Abraham  we  see  the  day  of 
Christ.  He  saw  the  first  coniingof  Christ  long- before  his  advent: 
we  see  by  faith  his  second  coming  to  take  us  to  himself  in  glory ; 
hence  we  rejoice.  5th.  O  the  comfort  of  living,  O  the  joy  of  dying 
in  this  faith:  it  realizes  heaven  and  glory  to  the  soul:  hope  is  its, 
constant  attendant :  by  faith  and  hope  in  the  promises,  love  springs 
up  in  the  heart  to  the  promiser.  Thus  the  sinner  is  fit  for  the  en- 
joyment of  God.  Die  when  he  may,  he  dies  in  faith....dies  in  the 
Lord,  and  shall  live  eternally  with  the  Lord»  "By  grace  ye  are 
saved  through  faith. "....Ephes.  ii.  5. 

'Tis  sweet  to  live  by  faith  in  Christ,  Soon  we  mtist  die,  then  we  shall  prove 

In  peace  with  God  above  :  The  precious  joy  of  faith. 

False  hopes  and  sin  we  do  resist,  How  safe  in  everlasting  love, 

For  faith  does  work  b/  love.  Ev'n  at  our  Utest  breath.          M. 


310  DECEMBER  2. 

The  times  of  I'efreshing  shall  come  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord. ...Acts  iii.  19. 

Who  shall  these  times  come  to?   Every  sinner  who  repents  and 
turns  to  Christ  for  salvation.     From  whence  shall  they  come  ?  From 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  :   here   then  it  is  manifest  v/he  ther  you 
have  repented  and  turned  to  the  Lord.     If  so,    1st.  Your  soul  will 
delight  in  God's  presence.     2d.   You  uill   earnestly  long   for,  and 
highly  prize  these  refreshing  seasons.     o(^..  You  will  say  with  David» 
"Thou  lU't  my  God,  my   times  are  in  thy  hands:   I  will   bless  the 
Lord  at  all  times  :  his  praise  shall  be  continually  in  my  mouth.".... 
Psalm  xxxi.  H.  xxxiv.  1.     Hence,  4th.  You  will  turn  from  your 
sins,  your  self-righteous  hopes,  carnal  pleasures  and  worldly  vanities, 
to  seek  all  your  happiness  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  presence  of  the 
Lord.     And,  5th.   You  will  wait  in  the  patience  of  faith  for  the  com- 
ing of  refreshing  seasons,  believing  they  shall  come.     Is  it  now  a 
night  of  gloom  and  sadness  ?   Are  we  tried  and  afBicted,  bowed  do»\vn 
and  dejected  I   Is  the  sun  of  comforc  set  ?  Does  the  mqon  withhold 
its  shining,  and  the  stars  their  light?  Yet  times  of  refreshing  shall 
come.     Believe   this:   hang   on   this   word:  bless   the  Lord   for  it. 
That  dear  comforter,  who  brought  us  to  Christ,  will  refresh  our 
souls  with  a  sense  of  the  love  of  Christ,  the  peace  of  God,  and  the 
joys  of  the  heavenly  world:   he  will  refresh  us  with  his  witness  to 
our  hearts  that  we   are   the   children   of  God  and   heirs  of  glory. 
He   does   keep   up  in  our  minds  a  constant  sense  of  this  precious 
truth,  that  Christ  is  both  an  able  and  a  willing  Saviour  to  us  :   that 
he  calls  our  weary,  labouring  souls  to  him,  and   promises  to  ease 
and  refresh  us.     This  is  refreshing  to  our  hearts.    Is  sin  our  burden  ? 
Do  we  want  rest  ?   Are  our  souls  troubled  for  want  of  peace  ?  Are 
our  spirits  distressed  for  want  of  refreshment?  Christ  says,  come 
unto  me  :  but  the  most  precious  times  of  refreshment   shall    soon 
come :   yet  a,  little  while,  and  we  shall  behold,  and  be  in  the  eternal 
enjoyment  of  the  presence  of  the  Lord.     C),  a  lively  view  of  this  by 
faith  is  most  refreshing  indeed  !  Then  we  long  to  be  absent  from  the 
body  and  present  with  the  Lord  :  we  are  sick  of  the  world :   sick  of 
ourselves  :  we  triumph  over  sin  and  satan,  smile  at  death  and  wel- 
come its  approach.     And  now,  Lord,  what  wait  I  for  ?  "  My  hope 
is  in  lhce."....Psalm  xxxix.  7.     Looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and 
the   glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  who  gave  himself  for  us....Tit.  ii.  13,  14. 

Tho'  sin  and  sorrow  bow  me  down,  Therefore  I'll  wait  and  look  and  pray. 
And  my  dear  Lord  delays:  And  not  from  him  depart; 

He  will  refresh  my  spirit  soon,  His  presence  makes  my  happy  day. 
With  tokens  of  his  grace.  And  fills  with  joy  my  heart. 


DECEMBER  3.  341 

Nourished  up  in  tJie  uords  of  faith,   and  of  good  doc- 
trine... A  Tim.  iv.  6. 

Many  a  soul  is  saying,  alas  !  I  hear,  and  hear  again,  and  do  not 
see  that  I  am  profited.  I  get  little  or  no  comfort  from  what  1  hear. 
Consider,  1st.  What  you  hear.  Is  it  the  words  of  fuith  and  of  good 
doctrine  ?  There  is  more  danger  in  words  than  we  are  aware  of. 
Wards  convey  corrupt  ideas  to  the  mind,  and  nourish  vain  hopes 
and  false  confidences  in  the  heart :  they  subvert  tlie  gospel  and  per- 
vert the  soul.  Many  words  of  this  sort  have  obtained  amongst  us  ; 
such  as  the  merit  of  works.. ..perhaps  you  start  at  that :  you  would 
not  hear  preachers  who  use  the  phrase  ;  but  these  amount  to  just 
the  same  thing,  thk  terms  of  thk  gospel.. ..the  conditions  of 
SALVATION.  These  are  not  the  words  of  faith  nor  of  good  doctrine, 
not  the  words  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teaches  :  they  are  the  words  of 
man's  proud  wisdom  :  they  were  hatched  in  the  church  of  Rome, 
and  are  contended  for  by  the  greatest  enemies  to  our  Lord's  divinity* 
iiis  atonement  of  sin  and  justifying  righteousness.  One  of  this 
stamp  in  our  day,  says,  "  he  longs  to  pull  down  that  idol,  Christ,, 
from  his  throne."  It  is  well  if  he  dont  plunge  into  hell  in  the  at- 
tempt. The  notion  of  tci  ms  and  conditions  of  salvation  swells  sin- 
ners with  pride,  nourishes  them  up  in  self-complacency  and  self- 
righteousness  ;  they  tend  to  obscure  the  glory  of  the  finished  work, 
of  Christ,  the  freencss  of  gospel  grace,  and  the  need  of  the  agency 
of  the  holy  Spirit. 

Therefore,  2d.  Avoid  such  preachers  who  contend  for  these 
phrases  :  seek  and  attend  those,  who  follow  the  example  of  an  old, 
a  very  old  preacher.  He  had  true  wisdom  :  therefore  he  says,  "  the 
preacher  sought  to  find  out  acceptable  words,  written  words,  and 
that  which  was  upright,  even  words  of  truth.". ...Eccles.  xii.  10. 
3d.  Consider  what  it  is  to  be  nourished  up  in  faith  and  good  words  : 
it  is  to  have  a  sound  judgment  of  the  truth,  a  peaceful  conscience 
through  the  truth,  warm  aflections  to  the  trutli,  the  heart  in  love 
with  the  truth,  the  life  influenced  by  the  truth,  and  the  hope  of  sal- 
vation and  glory  founded  solely  upon  the  truth.  What  is  truth  ? 
Jesus  says,  I  am  the  truth. ...John  xiv.  6.  The  truths  of  the  gos- 
pel nourish  the  soul  and  cause  it  to  "  grow  up  into  Christ  in  all 
things,  who  is  the  head."....Ephes.  iv.  15.  Prize  the  words  of 
faith  ;  diligently  attend  good  doctrine  ;  but  evermore  remember, 
all  nourishment  of  soul  comes  from  Christ  the  head.  To  him  look  ; 
upon  him  live ;  study  him  to  please  in  all  things.  "  Of  his  fulness 
have  we  all  received.".. ..John  i.  16. 

Christ's  words  are  full  of  truth  and      Speak,  Lord,  unto  my  heart  with  pow'r 
And  nourish  up  the  soul,        [grace,      Make  me  grow  up  in  thee : 

In  love  and  peace  and  holiness,  O,  may  I  feed  on  thee  each  hour, 

And  all  our  lusts  controul.  'Till  I  thy  glory  see.  M. 


342  DECEMBER  4. 

/,  even  I  am  he,  that  hlotteth  out  thy  transgression^ for 
mine  own  sake^  and  iciU  not  reinember  thy  sins....Isa. 
xliii.  25. 
W^TH  tears  of  joy  and  emotion  of  love,  my  once  dearly  be- 
loved and  much  honored  friend,  now  with  Jesus,  the  late  reverend 
Mr.  Jones,  minister  of  St.  Saviour's,  told  me,  the  awful  charges 
which  precede,  and  the  free  and  unmerited  grace  which  is  proclaim- 
ed in  this  text,  made  the  first  impressions  of  the  Saviour's  love 
upon  his  heart.  O,  that  the  Lord  of  all  grace  may  give  us  some 
comfort  from  it  to-night.  Here  grace  shines  with  meridian  splen- 
dor :  here  grace  gloriously  reigns  over  all  the  aboundings  of  sin  : 
here  grace  sweetly  triumphs  over  all  the  baseness  and  unworthiness 
of  the  sinner.  In  the  two  former  verses,  God  arraigns  the  sinner, 
reads  a  black  catalogue  of  indictment  against  him,  and  concludes 
with,  "  thou  has  made  me  to  serve  with  thy  sins,  thou  hast  wearied 
me  with  thine  iniquities."  The  sinner  is  struck  dumb :  he  dare 
not  deny  it :  the  judge  proceeds  to  pass  sentence.  What  is  it  ? 
Vengeance,  hell-fire,  and  damnation?  What  else  could  be  expect- 
ed ?  Be  astonished,  O  heavens  !  Shout  for  joy,  O  sinners  upon  earth  ! 
I,  EVEN  I  AM  HE.. ..What  ?  Who  will  be  avenged  of  thee  ?  Yes  : 
but  it  is  love  which  takes  vengeance  upon  thy  sins,  and  will  melt 
down  thy  hard,  thy  base  heart.  That  blotteth  out  thy  trans- 
gressions. What,  my  soul,  the  very  God  whom  thou  hast  made 
to  serve  with  thy  sins  and  wearied  with  thine  iniquities,  will  he  blot 
them  all  out  ?  Yes,  as  a  black  cloud  is  dispelled  by  the  sun,  or  dis- 
persed by  the  Avind  ;  or  as  an  immense  debt  is  discharged  by  the 
stroke  of  the  pen  of  a  merciful  creditor,  never,  never  more  to  ap- 
pear against  or  be  demanded  of  the  debtor.  For,  O  wonder  of  love ! 
he  saith  farther,  and  will  not  remember  thy  sins.  I  cannot 
forget  my  sins.  How  then  can  my  Lord  ?  They  are  all  forgiven 
and  forgotten  as  thy  sins.  The  Lord  remembers  he  laid  them  all 
upon  his  Son,  thy  surety.  Then  they  passed  from  thee  to  him  : 
then  they  were  all  atoned  for  by  him.  Why  all  this  ?  For  the  sake 
of  thy  works  ?  For  any  terms  and  conditions  thou  hast  performed  ? 
Spurn  the  thought.  Hear  thy  Lord,  for  mine  own  sake,  the 
dear  Jesus  blotted  out  thy  sins  with  his  blood.  The  loving  Father 
blots  them  out  for  the  sake  of  his  justice  and  truth.  The  gra- 
cious Spirit  blots  them  out  of  the  conscience,  for  the  glory  of  the 
Father  and  the  Son,  and  because  he  is  the  comforter  of  poor  sin- 
ners.    O  what  boundless  bliss  is  here  !  Believe,  rejoice  and  love. 

Here  is  most  joyful  j;;os])cl  news,  Then  gjive  thy  Lord  his  glory  due. 

Sin's  blotted  and  forg^ot !  Rejoice,  adore  and  love, 

Gil  this  sweet  word,  my  soul  now  muse,  Thou  art  as  safe  from  sin  and  woe, 
•Till  comfort  ihou  has:  got.  As  those  in  heav'n  above.         M 


DECEMBER  5.  343 

Put  me  in  rejnembrance:  let  us  plead  together:  declare 
thou,  that  thuu  maijest  be  justified.  ...Isa.  xliii.  26. 

The  Lord  had  just  laid  open  the  rich  love  of  his  s^racious  heart 
to  poor  sinners,  in  full^^  blotting  out  their  transgressions,  and  in  not 
remembering  their  sins.  To  keep  down  their  pride  and  exalt  the 
riches  of  his  mercy,  he  tells  them  plainly,  I  do  all  this  for  mine  own 
sake,:-  but  he  knows  what  is  in  man:  he  sees  the  devilish  pride 
of  our  hearts,  and  how  many  would  reject  his  free  declaration,  and 
•will  not  accept  of  free-grace  mercy,  by  free-gift  of  love,  without 
n»oney  and  without  price:  such  will  have  some  hand  in  procuring 
pardon  and  justification,  by  fulfilling  terms  and  performing  condi- 
tions. These  words  may  be  considered,  1st.  As  a  sarcasm  upon  such 
persons,  and  a  derision  upon  their  notions.  Says  the  Lord,  put  me 
in  rcmemberance.  What  spiritual  act  could  you  do  when  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins,  in  order  to  get  life  ?  What  good  works  sprung 
out  of  your  flesh,  in  which  dwells  no  good  thing?  Remind  me  of 
your  power  to  will  and  to  do  what  I  commanded,  and  how  you  have 
done  all  things  perfectly  well  to  my  glory.  Let  us  plead  together  : 
let  us  come  into  open  court  and  try  this  matter.  Declare  thou  thy 
own  righteousness:  for  which  of  all  thy  good  works  dost  thou  chal- 
lenge my  grace,  and  a  right  to  be  justified?  Verily,  if  thou  canst 
face  this  ;  as  the  prophet  says,  "  thou  hast  a  whore's  forehead,  and 
refusest  to  be  ashamed.".... Jer.  iii.  3.  But,  2d.  We  mav  consider 
them  as  spoken  to  the  Lord's  people.  Put  me  in  remembrance  of 
my  free  declaration  of  full  pardon:  believe  it:  pray  the  Spirit  to 
apply  the  sense  and  comfort  of  it  to  thy  conscience :  give  me  no 
rest  till  I  have  made  thee  thus  happy.  Let  us  plead  together  :  con- 
fess your  vileness:  own  your  wretchedness:  acknowlcgc  your  sin- 
fulness: I  will  plead,  my  grace  reigns  over  all  the  aboundings  of 
sin,  through  righteousness  unto  life.... Rom.  v.  2  1.  Declare  thou 
that  thou  mayest  be  justified  :  plead  at  my  throne  what  I  am  ever 
well  pleased  with,  the  blood  and  righteousnes  of  my  beloved  Sou 
only;  and  thou  shalt  be  justified  from  all  things,  have  my  peace  in 
thy  conscience,  which  passeth  all  understanding:  be  filled  with  joy 
and  peace  in  believing,  and  abound  in  hope  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  Now,  is  not  all  this  amazing  love  and  these  gracious  deal- 
ings enough  to  make  thee  ashamed  of  thy  folly  and  slowness  of 
heart  to  believe  the  truths  of  a  covenant  God  in  Christ  ? 

Grace  reigns  and  over  sin  abounds,       O  for  an  heart  of  faith  and  love, 
And  justifies  the  soul;  [founds,       Rejoicing  in  the  Lord, 

While  grace  our  pride  and  lust  con-      And  imitate  the  blest  above, 

It  makes  poor  sinners  whole.  Singing  his  praise  abroad.         M 


344  DECEMBER  6. 

The  laiv  ivorkcth  icraUi....Rom.  iv.  15. 

Our  misery  as  poor  sinners  is  greatly  heightened  For  want  of 
duly  considering  the  end  and  design  of  the  holy  law,  and  of  the  ever- 
UsLing  gospel  ;  and  through  our  blending  them  together  in  our  con- 
sciences. Consider  what  is  meant  by  the  law  working  wrath.  1st. 
*'Sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law."....  I  John  iii.  4.  2d.  "  The 
law  was  added  because  of  transgressions. "....Gal.  iii.  19.  3d.  *'  By 
the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin."  Therefore,  4lh.  "  By  the  deeds 
of  the  law  shall  no  flesh  be  justified  in  God's  sight."... .Rom.  iii.  20.* 
For,  5th.  "It  is  a  ministration  of  condemnation.".... 2  Cor.  iii.  9, 
*'  Cursed  is  every  one  that  continued!  not  in  all  things  which  are 
written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to<lo  them. "....Gal.  iii.  10.  Hence,  is  it 
any  marvel  that  we,  who  are  transgressors  of  the  law,  and  cursed 
by  the  law,  if  we  examine  ourselves  by  the  law  and  judge  of  our- 
selves according  to  the  law,  that  it  should  work  in  us  a  sense  of 
wrath,  a  dread  of  damnation,  and  a  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment 
and  of  fiery  indignation  ?  Therefore  we  must  see  and  own,  that  by 
nature  we  are  children  of  wrath  even  as  others,  deserve  hell  as  well 
as  others,  and  can  do  no  more  to  save  ourselves  than  others.  Now, 
have  we  thus  seen  ourselves  under  the  law,  and  felt  the  law  working 
wrath  in  our  consciences  I  If  so,  this  is  the  certain  consequence, 
"  Our  mouth  is  stopped  :  we  are  become,  (O  awful  word  !)  guilty 
before  God."-...Rom.  iii.  19. 

2d.  How  do  we  expect  to  get  relief  in  our  guilty  minds  and  ease 
from  wrath  in  our  consciences?  For  as  the  law  works  wrath,  sin 
works  deceitfully  in  our  proud  natures.  Dear  spirit  of  truth,  leave 
us  not  in  this  momentous  point  to  seek  death  in  the  error  of  our 
lives  :  either  to  palliate  our  sins,  to  extenuate  the  rigor  of  the  law, 
or  to  strive  by  any  future  obedience  to  the  law  to  quell  its  wrath. 
O  blessed  comforter  I  lead  us  to  our  law-fuifilling  head:  shew  us 
tliat  Jesus  hath  suffered  all  the  penalties  of  the  law  for  us  ;  took 
away  all  its  wrath  and  curse  from  us,  and  obtained  everlasting  peace 
with  God  for  us.  Here  then  it  is  manifest,  whether  we  have  receiv- 
ed the  Spirit  of  truth,  or  are  blinded  by  the  spirit  of  error.  If  we 
attempt  to  set  up  any  works  or  doings  of  our  own,  to  get  relief  from 
the  wrath  of  the  law,  sin  blinds  our  eyes  and  deceives  our  hearts. 
If  we  llee  from  the  wrath  of  the  law  to  the  grace  of  Christ,  we  are 
enlightened  by  the  Spirit  of  truth  :  "  For  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life 
in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  made  us  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death." 
....Rom.  vili.  2. 

A  sinner,  curs'd  by  holy  law.  Let  conscience  find  in  thee  sweet  peace 

1  flee  from  wvath  to  come  :  From  all  law's  threat'ning  wrath: 

Lord,  fill  my  refuge  soul  with  joy,  I'll  glory  in  thy  righteousness, 

While  here  below  I  roam.  Tho' law  works  sin  and  death.     M. 


DECEMBER  7.  345 

If  we  sin  zcilfiilli/  after  that  ice  have  j^eccived  the  knoiv- 
ledge  of  the  truth,  there  remaineth  no  more  sacrifice 
for  sins,  but  a  certain  fearful  looking  for  of  judgment 
and  fieri)  indignation,  lehich  shall  devour  the  adversa- 
ries.... Heb.  X.  26,  27. 
Awful  words!  enough  to  make  one's  heart  tremble,  excite  a 
holy  fear,  and  provoke  a  godly  jealousy.  Wilful  sins  bring  on  woe- 
ful complaints.  Yes,  says  a  soul,  I  find  it  so  by  woeful  experience. 
I  have  received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  of  salvation  by  Christ 
Jesus,  and  O  what  have  I  done!  Sinned  wilfully,  and  now  I  must 
be  damned  eternally  ;  there  is  no  hope  nor  help  ;  my  sin  is  unpar- 
donable ;  there  remains  no  more  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain 
fearful  looking  for  destruction  ;  I  am  shut  up  in  despair  ;  I  wait 
with  terror  my  dreadful  doom.  Stop  a  little  :  write  not  such  bitter 
things  against  thyself.  True,  thou  art  condemned  for  thy  past  wick- 
ed conduct  :  it  is  fit  you  should  take  shame  to  yourself,  humble 
yourself,  and  repent  as  in  dust  and  ashes;  but  this  text  never  was 
intended  to  drive  to  despair,  even  the  wilful  sinner,  who  sees  and  is 
sorry  for  his  vile  conduct.  Consider,  if  every  wilful  sin  is  unpar- 
donable, after  a  person  has  received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
the  whole  world  must  be  damned  :  not  one  sinner  would  be  saved. 
If  so,  that  word  could  not  be  true,  "The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
cleanseth  from  all  sin."....l  John  i.  7.  'J'hen  backsliding  sinners 
must  perish  without  hope.  God  himself  must  prove  false  to  his 
•word;  "I  will  heal  their  backslidings."....Hosea  xiv.  4.  And 
Christ  must  be  a  false  prophet  when  he  declares,  "  All  manner 
OF  SIN  AND  blasphemy  shall  be  forgiven  unto  men. "....Matt, 
xii.  3 1 .  Consider  well  two  words  in  this  text.  I  st.  There  remaineth 
no  more  sacrifice  for  sins.  Now  this  wilful  sin  is  rejecting  the  one 
sacrifice  of  Jesus,  treading  under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  accounting 
his  blood  an  unholy  thing,  and  expecting  to  be  saved  some  other 
way.  Here  is  total  apostacy  and  final  unbelief;  whereas  your  guilty 
conscience  seeks  no  sacrifice  beside  the  one  offering  of  the  Son  of 
God.  2d.  Mind,  it  is  the  adversary  who  is  to  be  devoured.  Is 
your  heart  set  against  Christ  ?  Do  you  turn  from  him  ?  Do  you  de- 
sire to  have  nothing  to  do  with  him  ?  O  no  I  I'll  answer  for  you,  the 
one  desire  of  your  soul  is  to  be  pardoned  through  him,  accepted  in 
him,  and  saved  by  him.  Then  you  are  not  an  adversary  to  Christ : 
you  shall  not  be  devoured.  This  text  no  more  belongs  to  you,  than 
to  angels  in  heaven  :  but  this  does,  "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and 
worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners."....!  Tim.  i.  15. 

Vol.  II.  U  u 


546  DECEMBER  8. 

He  ivho  catetJi  me,  even  he  shall  live  by  me. ...John  vi.  57. 

Why  is  the  meek  Lamb  so  very  wrath  against  self-righteous 
people,  while  he  is  nothing  but  love  and  tenderness  to  poor  sensible 
sinners  ?  Why  does  he  stamp  the  highest  indignity  and  contempt 
on  the  character  of  the  former,  while  he  receives  publicans  and  har- 
lots with  open  arms  ?  Is  it  not  hard,  because  a  man  hugs  his  own 
righteousness  and  perfection  in  his  heart,  that  the  Saviour  should 
reject  him  ?  Are  we  not  to  do  good,  to  be  very  good,  yea,  to  strive 
to  be  as  righteous  as  an  angel  ?  Yes,  we  are  to  have  a  better  righte- 
ousness than  angels  ever  had  :  but  if  we  think  that  righteousness  is 
to  be  obtained  by  us,  to  cover  our  wicked  nature,  to  recommend  us 
to  God,  and  to  justify  us  either  first  or  last,  in  whole  or  in  part,  we 
deceive  ourselves.. ..the  truth  is  not  in  us....there  is  the  pride  of  the 
devil  at  the  bottom  of  all  this:  "  Woe  unto  us,  we  are  full,  but  we 
shall  hunger.". ...Luke  vi.  25.  If  full  of  a  proud  conceit  and  high 
opinion  of  our  own  righteousness,  our  souls  will  famish  and  starve: 
"  The  full  soul  loatheth  the  honey-comb.".. ..Prov.  xxvii.  7.  It  has 
no  appetite  to  feed  upon  Christ,  and  to  live  by  him,  as  its  only  food 
and  cloathing  :  "  Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled.".. ..Matt.  v.  6.  That  soul  is  tru- 
ly convinced  of  sin,  by  the  Spirit,  who  sees  he  has  no  righteousness 
of  his  ov\  n  ;  is  sensible  that  he  must  perish  everlastingly,  without  a 
perfect,  spotless  righteousness  ;  knows  this  is  only  in  Christ,  and 
therefore  hungers  and  thirsts  after  his  righteousness.  This  is  the 
soul  who  eats  Christ,  feeds  upon  him,  and  shall  live  by  him.  \ 
hungry  soul  is  a  self-emptied  soul.  Is  yours  such  ?  Does  it  go  out 
after  Christ  as  a  hungry  appetite  does  after  food  ?  Will  nothing  sa- 
tisfy you  but  the  flesh  and  blood,  the  righteousness  and  atonement 
of  the  Son  of  God?  Bless  the  Lord,  you  have  David's  experience  : 
"  I  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God."  He  fed  on  Christ  and 
got  his  strength  from  him  :  "  I  will  make  mention  of  thy  righteous- 
ness, even  of  thine  only.  My  lips  shall  greatly  rejoice  when  I 
sing  unto  thee,  and  my  soul  which  thou  hast  redeemed. "....Psalm 
Ixxi.  23.  Holy  Paul's  language  is  yours  :  "  I  count  all  things  but 
loss  for  the  excellency  of  Christ  Jesus  my  I^ord.  I  esteem  all 
things  but  dung  that  I  may  win  Christ.  The  whole  and  sole  desire 
of  your  soul  is  to  be  found  in  him. "....Phil.  iii.  9.  You  have  the 
sure  word  of  Christ.  You  shall  live  by  ml.  Live  by  his  grace  in 
time  :   live  with  him  in  glory  to  all  eternity. 

'Tis  sweet  to  live  and  daily  feed  Lord,  may  I  love  thee  more  and  more 

On  Jesus  flesh  and  blood  :  For  ev'ry  word  thou  saith  : 

J-Iis  flesh  and  blood  are  drink  indeed,  Increase  my  hunger  and  my  pow'r 

To  all  the  souU  he's  lov'd.  To  feed  on  thee  b/  faith.          M. 


DECEMBER  9.  347 

/  xvill  lift  up  m\)  hands  in  thy  name. ...Psalm  Ixiii.  4. 

From  the  little  carnal  men  see  of  the  conduct  of  saints,  they 
pronounce  them  fools  and  madmen  :  but  were  they  to  follow  them  to 
their  closets,  and  be  witnesses  to  what  passes  there,  between  God  and 
their  souls,  they  would  deem  it  the  excess  of  folly  and  the  height 
of  madness.  Two  christian  friends  Avere  conversing  together  of  the 
plague  of  their  hearts,  the  working  of  hypocrisy  and  evil  in  their 
best  duties:  an  unconverted  brother  of  one  of  them  overheard  and 
upbraided  them,  saying,  "  I  always  thought  you  were  two  hypo- 
crites, now  I  have  heard  it  from  your  mouths.  I  have  no  wandering 
thoughts  at  church  ;  I  always  go  with  a  good  heart."  "  Brother," 
replied  the  christian,  putting  a  piece  of  money  in  his  hand,  "  that 
is  your  own,  if,  when  you  go  to  church  next,  you  will  watch  your 
heart  and  tell  me  honestly  if  vou  found  no  wandering  thoughts." 
The  poor  man  faithfully  returned  the  money,  and  frankly  owned, 
"I  was  scarce  got  into  church,  but  I  thought  how  many  looms  might 
be  set  to  work  in  it."  He  was  a  weaver.  O  what  an  awful  thing  it 
is  to  be  ignorant  of  one's  own  heart!  And  yet  the  knowledge  of  its 
desperate  wickedness  and  superlative  deceitfulness,  often  dejects  and 
puts  disciples  to  the  stand.  Here  is  a  blessed  remedy  at  all  times, 
THE  LOVING  KINDNESS  OF  THE  LoRD.  This  is  better  than  life : 
this  super-abounds  all  the  aboundings  of  sin  in  us  :  this  enables  us 
to  say  joyfully,  "I  will  bless  the  Lord  while  I  live:"  and  with 
boldness,  "  1  will  lift  up  my  hands  in  thy  name."  In  our  work  and 
warfare,  against  all  our  spiritual  enemies,  there  is  a  blessed  name 
which  is  above  every  other  name,  to  animate  us  with  courage,  even 
the  name  Jesus.  However  dejected  or  despised,  can  we  think  of, 
believe  in,  and  look  to  that  glorious  name,  person,  work,  and  sal- 
vation with  which  God  is  well  pleased,  without  lifting  up  our  hands 
with  comfort  and  joy  ?  Here  I  am  to-night,  a  poor  sinner,  empty  of 
all  good,  full  of  all  evil.  No  worth,  work  or  excellency  to  recom- 
mend me  to  God,  yet  will  I  lift  up  my  empty  hand  to  receive  a  gift 
from  the  God  of  all  grace.  O  that  under  a  sight  of  my  ruined 
state  and  helpless  impotency,  the  Spirit  may  teach  me  that  heavenly 
art,  "  I  will  go  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  God,  I  will  make  men- 
tion of  thy  righteousness,  even  of  thine  only,"  O  Jesu.... Psalm 
Ixxi.  16.  It  is  from  hence  that  feeble  knees  are  strengthened,  hands 
which  hang  down  are  lifted  up,  and  fearful  hearts  made  strong. 
"  Consider  Christ  Jesus.".. ..Heb.  iii.  I. 

What  name  so  sweet  to  sinners'  ears,  My  hands  to  thee  I  will  lift  op, 
As  that  of  Christ  my  king  ?  A  blessin;  to  receive, 

Tis  this  repels  our  doubts  and  fears,       From  thee  my  Christ,  my  only  hope  i 
And  joy  of  soul  doth  bring.  Upon  thee  I  will  live-  M. 


348  DECEMBER   10. 

Ye  have  not  received  the  Spirit  of  bondage  again  to  fear  y 
but  ye  have  received  the  Spirit  of  adoption,  ivhereby 
we  crij,  Abba,  Father.. ..Bom.  viii.  15^ 

The  Spirit  of  God  never  was,  never  is,  nor  ever  can  be  the 
spirit  of  bondage  to  any  soul  :  some  have  asserted  it,  but  it  is  a 
mistake:  it  is  contrary  to  his  name,  the  cojmforter  :  he  is  a  free 
spirit,  a  spirit  of  liberty  to  the  soul  :  it  is  inconsistent  with  his 
office  :  he  takes  of  the  things  of  Christ,  and  shews  them  to  us  : 
testifies  of  Christ:  brings  us  into  the  liberty,  of  Christ:  enables  us 
to  glory  in  the  adoption  of  children,  and  to  call  God  Father,  in  the 
faith  of  Christ.  When  he  convinces  of  sin,  it  is  not  to  bring  the 
soul  into  bondage,  but  to  break  the  bondage  of  sin,  of  the  law,  of 
death  and  of  satan  in  the  conscience,  and  to  cast  away  the  cords 
thereof,  that  the  soul  may  be  unitedJio  Christ  by  faith.  In  all  this 
he  is  THE  COMFORTER.  What  then  is  this  spirit  of  bondage?  It  is 
the  spirit  of  the  law  :  just  as  the  Egyptians  made  the  children  of 
Israel  to  serve  with  rigor,  and  made  their  lives  bitter  with  hard 
bondage.. ..Exod.  i.  14.  So  does  the  law  all  those  who  are  under  it. 
Do  what  they  would,  they  could  never  please,  never  get  a  good 
word  from  their  task-masters.  So  let  the  poor  legal  sinner  labour, 
tug  and  toil  from  day  to  day  to  fulfil  the  lav/,  and  be  made  righte- 
ous by  obedience  to  it,  yet,  like  hard  hearted  Pharaoh,  it  says,  "  ye 
are  idle,  ye  are  idle,"  pay  me  what  thou  owest  me,  my  full  due  : 
I  am  not  satisfied  :  you  have  not  fulfilled  my  righteous  demands : 
you  are  still  cursed :  thus  a  legal  spirit  is  always  in  bondage  :  his 
soul  is  always  subject  to  fear.  Though  he  works  like  a  slave,  yet 
he  gets  nothing  but  slavish  dread  of  Ciod,  and  fear  of  being  damned 
at  last ;  for  the  law  works  nothing  but  wrath  in  the  conscience.... 
Rom.  iv.  15.  This  is  fearful  bondage  indeed.  Glory  to  the  spirit 
of  adoption  for  bringing  us  from  it,  and  enabling  us  to  cry,  Abba, 
Father.  How  does  he  effect  this?  We  receive  the  spirit  of  adoption 
by  the  faith  of  Jesus  :  we  see  a  righteous  law  perfectly  fulfilled  by 
the  one  obedience  of  Christ's  life  :  by  this,  we  sinners  are  made 
righteous. ...Rom.  v.  19.  Here  our  hearts  take  refuge  :  through 
this  righteousness,  the  Spirit  brings  peace  to  our  consciences:  dis- 
charges from  the  condemnation  of  the  law :  frees  us  from  guilty 
fears  and  terrors  of  God  ;  and  instead  thereof,  breathes  this  precious 
cry  in  our  hearts,  Abba,  my  loving,  my  adopted  Father  in  Christ. 
Now  love  takes  place  in  the  soul.  Once  a  child  of  God,  and  for  ever 
so.  The  Spirit  of  adoption  never  becomes  a  spirit  of  bondage  again : 
but  if  you  do  not  walk  in  faith  and  love,  he  may  leave  you  to  the 
awful  bondage  of  your  own  spirit,  and  under  the  terrors  of  a  broken 
law.    "  Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God."....Ephes.  iv.  30. 


DECEMBER   11.  349 

And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Mosrs,  face  to  face,  as  a  man 
speaketli  unto  his  friend. ...Exod.  xxxiii.  11. 

In  the  sight  of  infidels,  INIoses  is  as  vile  a  hypocrite  and  as 
great  an  enthusiast  as  ever  existed.  You  see  your  calling  brethren. 
What  shall  be  done  unto  the  men  whom  the  King  of  saints  delights 
to  honor  ?  Treat  them  as  the  filth  and  ofV-scouring  of  all  things,  say 
the  world.  Thank  you,  ye  sons  of  folly  :  you  give  us  an  evident 
token  of  our  salvation,  and  that  of  God....Phil.  i.  28.  If  Moses 
is  not  to  be  credited,  Christ  is  to  be  rejected.  He  puts  his  cause 
upon  the  testimony  of  Moses,  "  Had  ye  believed  Moses,  ye  would 
have  believed  me,  for  he  wrote  of  me."... .John  v.  46.  He  was  a 
friend  of  the  bridegroom  :  he  was  admitted  to  close  and  iutimate 
converse  with  him  before  he  appeared  in  flesh.  Our  Saviour  saith 
to  all  his  disciples,  "  ye  are  my  friends. "....John  xv.  14.  He  ad- 
mits them  into  sweet  fellowship  and  free  communion  with  himself. 
A  precious  minister  of  Christ,  late  on  earth,  now  in  glory,  says  in 
his  diary,  "I  walked  in  the  fields,  and  conversed  much  with  our 
Saviour,  about  the  wickedness  of  my  heart,"  Sec.  Paul  says, 
"  Where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty:"  freedom  from 
the  veil  of  nature's  blindness  and  ignorance  :  liberty,  to  draw  nigh 
to  God,  and  to  pour  out  our  hearts  before  him.  lor,  we  all:  ail 
true  believers  in  Christ,  "behold  as  in  a  glass,"  \.\\c  clear  glass  of 
the  gospel,  "  the  glory  of  the  Lord,"  in  ihe  face  of  Jesus  Christ, 
full  of  grace  and  truth  to  poor  sinners.  That  is  God's  greatest 
glory  ;  that  is  our  highest  nicrcy.  This  unspeakable  privilege  be- 
lievers in  common  are  admitted  to.  This  constitutes  our  heaven 
below.  It  creates  heaven  in  the  soul.  It  brings  Ciod  and  the  soul 
near  :  yea,  face  to  face.  God's  face  is  towards  us  in  Christ  :  our 
face  is  towards  him  by  the  faith  of  Christ.  His  countenance  smiles 
upon  us  ;  that  makes  us  of  a  joyful  heart  :  "  JMy  sheep  hear  my 
voice,"  says  Christ.. .. John  x.  27.  Yes,  saith  the  soul,  "  it  is  the 
voice  of  my  beloved. "....Song  v.  2.  See  then  your  calling,  O  be- 
liever, and  thou  my  soul :  live  not  below  your  exalted  privilege  : 
draw  nigh  to  God,  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  you.  Speak  humbly  to 
God,  of  your  sin,  misery,  and  wretchedness  :  he  will  speak  graciously 
to  you,  of  his  love  and  salvation  in  his  Son.  "  I  said  not  unlo  the  seed 
of  Jacob,  seek  ye  me  in  vain  :  I  the  Lord  speak  in  righteousness." 
"Am  mighty  to  save.".... Isa.  xlv.  19.  Ixiii.  1.  O  the  blessedness  of 
thus  beholding  the  face  of  the  Lord  !  We  arc  changed  into  the  same 
image,  by  the  Lord  the  Spirit.  For  God  hath  shined  in  our  hearts 
to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ....2  Cor.  iv.  6. 


550  DECEMBER  12. 

Cofi  a  woynan  forget  her  sucking  child,  that  she  should 
not  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her  icomb?  Yea,  they 
may  forget,  yet  will  I  not  forget  tliee....Isa.  xlix.  15. 

Lord,  remember  David  and  all  his  afflictions. ...Psalm  cxxxii.  1. 
How  comprehensive  is  this  short  petition  I  What  a  holy  boldness, 
■what  a  filial  confidence  breathes  in  it  1  Yes,  says  a  poor  doubting, 
dejected  soul,  but  it  cam.e  from  an  eminent  saint,  but  I  am  a  miser- 
able sinner  :  I  am  afiaid  the  Lord  hath  forgotten  and  forsaken  me. 
Is  your  mind  pained  at  the  thoughts  of  this?  That  is  a  godly  sorrow, 
which  the  wicked  are  strangers  to.  This  is  one  of  the  afflictions  of 
the  righteous.  Lord  remember  me,  is  the  prayer  of  faith  to  a 
covenant  Cod.  Here  is  a  precious  cordial,  a  heart-reviving  answer 
from  the  Lord.  Look  at  that  woman  with  her  smiling  babe  at  her 
breast  :  see  how  fond  she  is  of  it,  how  delighted  with  it :  it  is  part 
of  herself:  she  bore  it  with  pains,  and  brought  it  into  the  world  with 
labour  :  its  innocent  look  and  helpless  cry  call  for  her  tenderest  af- 
fection and  regard.  Can  she  forget  it  ?  Can  she  refuse  to  shew 
compassion  to  it  ?  Will  she  neglect  to  administer  to  its  wants,  and 
to  preserve  from  danger  the  dear  and  tender  son  of  her  womb  ?  Is 
it  possible  I  Here  is  an  image  in  nature  which  strikes  one  with  the 
most  tender  affection,  to  set  forth  the  love  and  care  of  the  Lord  to  his 
people  :  but  strong  and  striking  as  it  is,  it  fails.  There  have  been, 
there  may  be  such  monsters  in  nature,  who  have  not  had  compas- 
sion upon  the  off'spring  of  their  womb.  Therefore,  knowing 
the  fears  and  surmises  of  our  nature,  the  Father  of  love  and  the 
friend  of  sinners,  as  it  were,  corrects  himself,  and  says,  "  yea, 
ihey  may  forgct"....the  comparison  fails....this  image,  yea,  all  na- 
ture is  too  weak  to  borrow  a  representation  from.  Yet  will  I  not 
Forget  THKE.  O,  may  faith  catch,  fasten,  and  live  upon  this  pre- 
cious word.  O,  may  love  be  excited  and  joy  increased  by  it.  As 
thoiigh  our  dear  Lord  had  said,  "  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  ever- 
lasting love,"  saved  thee  with  an  everlasting  salvation,  called  thee 
l)y  my  grace,  made  thee  know  thy  poverty  and  vileness,  thy  hope- 
less and  helpless  state  :  shall  I  ever  he  unmindful  of  thy  distress, 
deaf  to  tliy  cry,  andunwilling  to  relieve  thy  wants  ?  Impossible!  Is 
the  tender  infant  part  of  its  mother  ?  Remember,  "  wc  are  mem- 
l)ers  of  Christ's  Ijody,  of  his  flesh  and  of  his  bones. "....Ephes.  v.  30. 
In  pain  and  sorrow  did  the  mother  bring  the  infant  forth  ?  O,  what 
agonies  did  it  cost  our  Lord  to  redeem  us  !  Has  he  been  at  the  pains 
to  bring  us  to  himself  for  salvation?  After  all  this,  will  he  leave  us 
to  perish  by  sin,  to  be  overcome  by  the  world,  or  to  be  a  prey  to 
satan  ?  If  we  think  so,  we  must  sadly  forget  him  who  says,  "  Be- 
hold I  have  graven  thee  iqjon  the  palms  of  my  hands.".... Isa. 
xlix.  IG. 


DECEMBER   15.  351 

Kaijy   hut,  O  mauy   ivlio  art  tJtou  that  repliest  against 
GodF....llom.  ix.  20. 

The  sovereignty  of  God,  in  dispensing;  his  f^race  to  whom  lie 
plcaseth,  which  he  oweth  to  none,  ever  was  a  bone  of  contention. 
Unawakened  people,  with  self-righteous  hearts  and  stubborn  free- 
will pride,  rise  with  Indignation  of  spirit,  daringly  call  ia  question  the 
■ways  of  God  to  man,  and  impiously  reply  against  God,  as  though  he 
had  not  an  absolute  right  to  do  what  he  will  with  his  own,  and  con- 
fer his  favors  when,  and  on  whom  he  pleases.  ''  Ye  shall  be  as 
gods,"  says  the  father  of  lies. ...Gen.  iii.  5.  Our  first  parents  be- 
lieved him.  They  have  tainted  our  whole  race  with  this  proud  lie. 
Hence  the  poet  most  sarcastically  says  to  repliers  against  God, 

Snatch  from  his  hand  the  balance  and  the  rod, 

Rejudge  his  justice,  be  the  God  of  God. 
Paul  meets  such  :  he  puts  a  question  to  them  :  he  demands  an  an- 
swer from  them.  Who  art  thou?  The  Lord  in  the  sovereignty  ot 
grace,  and  with  the  glory  of  his  majesty,  issues  his  royal  proclama- 
tion from  heaven,  "  I  will  have  mercy  on  whom  I  will  have  mercy : 
and  I  will  have  compassion  on  whom  I  will  have  compassion."  Now 
who  ?  What  art  thou  who  darest  to  reply  ?  What !  Reply  against 
God  ?  What  thou,  O  man  ;  worm  of  tlie  earth  :  a  creature  of  a  day : 
born  like  a  w  ild  ass'  colt,  without  understanding  :  by  nature  a  child 
of  wrath,  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  blind  to  thy  own  existence: 
thou  vain  fool,  thou  child  of  pride,  and  son  of  folly,  dost  thou  exalt 
thy  ignorance,  and  display  thy  enmity,  by  opening  thy  mouth 
against  God,  his  truths  and  his  ways  ?  This  is  one  of  the  severest 
reproofs  of  the  holy  Spirit  in  the  whole  Bible :  improve  it.  Remem- 
ber there  is  "  a  woe  to  him  who  striveth  with  his  Maker."....Isa. 
xlv.  9.  Know,  you  have  nothing  you  can  properly  call  your  own,  but 
sin  :  that  is  the  parent  of  ignorance  and  pride.  Wilt  thou  exalt 
these  against  the  wisdom  and  grace  of  God  ?  Shall  our  corrupt  rea- 
son reply  against  God,  call  him  to  an  account  of  his  ways,  and  say 
unto  him,  what  doest  thou  ?  Consider,  have  we  not  forfeited  all  right 
to  God's  favor  ?  Does  any  good  thing  dwell  in  our  nature  to  entitle 
lis  to  his  mercy  ?  O  fall  down  and  bless  God  for  the  unmerited  gift 
of  his  Son  Jesus.  Adore  the  riches  of  his  abundant  mercy,  that 
"  at  this  present  time  there  is  a  remnant  according  to  the  election  of 
grace  ;  and  if  by  grace,  then  is  it  no  more  of  works,  otherwise 
grace  is  no  more  grace."  8cc....Rom.  xi.  5,  6. 

^yhile  others  wrangle  and  reply,  Dear  Spirit,  teach  my  sqal  the  truth 

Against  thy  sov'reign  ways,  OLord:  As  it  in  Christ  my  Saviour  is: 

O  bring  my  spirit  down  from  high,  O  thou,  my  God,  guide  of  my  yomh, 

To  feed  by  faith  upon  thy  word  I  Preserve  from  proud  rebellious  lies.  M- 


352  DECEMBER   14. 

Hoxo  iJien  can  I  do  this  greatxvickedness,  mid  sin  against 
God?. ...Gen.  xxxix.  9. 

Look  now  at  young  Joseph,  and  say,  is  not  this  the  finest  reason- 
ing against  a  fierce  temptation  ?  IJere  is  a  youth  in  the  bloom  of  life, 
in  the  vigor  of  nature,  passions  ran  high,  affections  strong,  a  violent 
temptation  presents,  a  fair  seducer  solicits ;  yet,  amidst  all  this, 
with  the  coolness  of  age,  with  the  grace  of  fttith  he  reasons,  and 
with  a  holy  fortitude  of  soul  he  withstands  and  overcomes  the  sin. 
Here  is  a  blessed  lesson  for  you,  ye  youth ;  nor  less  instructive  to 
me,  and  to  you,  ye  aged.  Every  age  of  life  has  its  peculiar  temp- 
tations. Ye  children  of  special  grace,  ye  contenders  for  its  glorious 
doctrines,  consider,  1st.  What  is  implied  in  this,  sin  against  God? 
Would  not  Joseph  have  sinned  against  the  best  of  masters,  against 
the  wife  of  his  master,  against  his  own  soul?  Doubtless.  But  his 
God  is  above  and  beyond  all  other  objects.  The  love  of  his  gracious 
God  was  in  his  heart :  ihe  fear  of  his  covenant  God  was  before  his 
eyes  :  the  glory  of  the  God  of  his  salvation  was  near  and  dear  to  his 
soul.  O  believer,  remember  when  tempced  to  commit  sin,  it  is  a 
great  Avickedness  against  the  everlasting  love  of  God  your  Father; 
the  dying  love  of  God  your  Redeemer;  the  reviving  love  of  God 
your  comforter.  Though  sin  cannot  sink  your  soul  into  a  hell  of 
endless  torment,  yet  it  will  surely  bring  a  hell  of  misery  into  your 
conscience.  Remember,  it  is  against  God  :  look  to  him  :  flee  from 
sin:  with  every  temptation  God  will  make  a  way  to  escape,  that  ye 
may  be  able  to  bear  it :  God  is  faithful,  "  He  will  not  suffer  you  to 
be  tempted,  above  that  ye  are  able."....l  Cor.  x.  13.  Consider,  2d. 
The  force  of  this  reasoning.  How  can  I  sin  ?  Lay  a  peculiar  empha- 
sis upon  God  and  I.  Here  it  is  not  criminal  nor  arrogant  to  intro- 
duce that  little  letter  of  great  sound,  /.  What  a  peculiar  spirit  of 
the  fire  of  generous  love  and  holy  energy  is  there  in  this  question, 
how  can  /  sin  ?  Is  it  possible  that  /,  hell-deserving,  yet  heaven- 
beloved  /,  can  wilfully  and  deliberately  sin?  /sin  against  my  God  ? 
Can  /  set  at  nought  his  love,  /wilfully  violate  his  law,  /deliberately 
defy  his  power  ?  Impossible.  His  grace  teaches  me  to  deny  all  un- 
godliness :  the  love  of  Christ  constrains  from  it.  If  lusts  prevail, 
the  sense  of  love  is  lost.  O,  let  love  abound  over  lust :  Jesus  save 
me  :  this  is  the  reasoning,  this  the  prayer  of  genuine  faith  and  gene- 
rous love.  "  Sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you  ;  for  ye  are 
not  under  the  law  but  under  grace."... .Rom.  vi.  1 4.  "The  grace  of 
(iod  teaches  us. "....Tit.  ii.  12. 

W'liat  soul  on  earth  can  sin  witlistand,  Lord,  then  thy  saving  grace  impart, 
\Vhen  suited  to  his  lust,  \Vhen  iin  invades  my  soul, 

Unless  upheld  by  God's  right  hand  ?  Let  love  be  strong  within  my  heart. 
For  mail  Is  sinful  dust.  And  I'uith  my  pow'rs  controul.      M. 


DECEMBER  15.  55S 

Unto  you  it  is  given  to  know  the  mystery  of  the  kingdom 
of  God..., Mark  iv.  11. 

When  the  Son  of  God  came  from  heaven  to  earth,  then  was 
the  mystery  of  heaven  revealed,  and  the  khigdom  of  God  made 
manifest  to  the  sons  of  men.  What,  to  all  of  them?  No  :  many 
when  Christ  was  on  earth,  and  ever  since,  have  neither  eyes  to  see, 
ears  to  hear,  nor  hearts  to  imdcrstand  the  mystery  of  the  kingdom 
of  God.  The  god  of  this  world  Ijlinds  their  eyes,  stops  their  ears, 
and  shuts  their  hearts  against  spiritual  mysteries  ;  and  they  are 
honest  enough  to  proclaim  it  with  their  tongues ;  saying,  where  myste- 
ries begin,  there  religion  ends.  Lord,  why  am  not  I  left  in  natural 
blindness,  ignorance,  and  stupidity  of  soul  ?  O  why  me,  Lord,  and 
not  others  ?  ist.  The  mystery  of  the  kingdom  of  God  is  that  re- 
vealed truth,  that  the  Trinity,  God  the  Father,  God  the  Son,  and 
God  the  Holy  Ghost,  will  get  everlasting  honor  and  glory  to  all 
the  attributes  and  perfections  of  the  godhead,  by  the  incarnate  Je- 
sus :  in  the  salvation  of  cursed,  miserable  sinners,  in  setting  up 
the  kingdom  of  God  in  their  hearts  upon  the  ruins  of  sin,  and  by 
the  destruction  of  satan  :  "  This  is  the  mystery  of  godliness,  God 
manifest  in  the  flesh."....!  Tim.  iii.  16.  This  mystery,  •'  angels 
desire  to  look  into."....l  Pet.  i.  12.  O  my  soul,  O  my  fellow-sin- 
ners, we  are  much  more  concerned  in  it  than  they.  Let  us  pry 
into  it  daily,  with  greatest  earnestness  and  deepest  attention.  2d. 
-"What  is  it  to  know  this  mystery  ?  It  is  spiritually,  savingly  and 
experimentally  to  see  it,  understand  the  grace  and  mercy  of  it,  to 
believe  its  suitableness  to  us  ;  our  want  of  it,  the  hope,  peace,  and 
joy  which  are  brought  to  our  souls  by  it ;  so  as  heartily  to  approve 
of  God's  bringing  an  atonement  for  our  sins,  righteousness  for  our 
justification,  and  salvation  to  our  souls,  by  his  beloved  Son,  the 
MAN  Christ  Jesus.  3d.  How  do  we  know  this  ?  By  the  revelation 
of  the  word  and  inspiration  of  the  Spirit.  It  is  given  us  to  know 
it.  The  Spirit  opens  our  eyes  to  see  it,  and  our  hearts  to  under- 
stand and  believe  it,  as  revealed  in  his  word.  4th.  Who  ?  Even 
ALL  whom  the  Lord  shall  call.  In  the  days  of  his  flesh,  Jesus  cal- 
led unto  him  whom  he  would.. ..Mark  iii.  13.  So  in  the  days  of  the 
Spirit's  power,  he  enlightens  whom  he  will  to  know  the  mystery  of 
the  kingdom  of  God.  5th.  We  know  the  sweet  "  fellowship  of  this 
mystery. "....Eph.  iii.  9.  Our  heaits  are  in  love  with  the  doctrines 
of  grace,  and  our  aff'ections  swayed  by  them,  for  we  understand 
them  and  our  judgments  approve  of  them  :  thus  we  have  joyful  fel- 
lowship with  the  Father  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  in  the  truth, 
through  the  grace  of  the  Spirit.  The  more  we  know  of  this  mys- 
tery, the  more  comfort.  Study  the  love  of  Christ,  that  ye  may  be 
filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God. ...Eph.  iii.  18. 
Vol.  II.  W  w 


554  DECEMBER   16. 

What  profit  is  it,  that  ive  have  kept  liis  ordinances^  and 
ivalked  mournfully  before  the  Lord  of  hosts f'....MaL 
lii.  14. 

These  words  were  spoken  to  the  carnal  Jews.  They  may  be 
applied  to  us;  for  the  filthy  leaven  of  the  proud  Pharisee  works  in 
all  our  natures,  at  least  I  know  one  who  finds  it  does.  What  does 
it  produce  ?  Hard  thoughts  of  God  and  stout  words  against  him. 
We  are  apt  to  arraign  his  conduct  towards  others  and  think  he  deals 
rather  hardly  with  us.  1st.  *' We  call  the  proud  happy."  In  a  dark 
tried,  tenipted,  deserted  hour,  when  we  see  the  poor,  proud  sons 
of  pride  and  folly  ranting  and  revelling  in  all  the  gay  scenes  of 
mirth  and  jollity,  we  are  apt  to  look  at  them,  think  of  them,  and 
ch'aw  such  conclusions  from  them  as  these  :  well,  surely  these  peo- 
ple are  happier  in  their  ways  than  I  am  in  mine  ;  they  are  stran- 
gers to  my  heart-burdens  and  soul-distresses ;  mirth  sits  on  their 
countenance  while  grief  and  sorrow  weigh  me  down.  This  was 
the  experience  of  David,  Job,  Asaph,  and  the  prophets  :  we  fre- 
ciuenlly  find  them  at  times  sorely  distressed  about  this  very  thing. 
The  chief  of  sinners,  and  the  least  of  all  saints,  who  now  writes, 
has  also  been  often  tried  and  tempted  in  this  matter.  2d.  "  We  say, 
Ihey  who  work  wickedness  are  set  up."  It  staggers  our  reason  to 
see  the  openly  notorious  and  ungodly  flourish  in  great  esteem  and 
abundance  ;  while  I  think,  if  I  am  a  child  of  God,  I  am  despised  and 
can  b\it  just  get  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  those  with  hard  labour 
and  much  care.  3d.  "  Those  who  tempt  God  are  even  delivered." 
If  they  get  into  troubles  and  perplexities,  though  they  daringly  pro- 
voke God  to  his  face,  yet  they  find  friends  enough  to  deliver  them, 
viiile  I  combat  my  troubles  daily  and  no  man  cares  for  my  soul.  And 
therefore,  Ith.  The  words  of  the  text  are  taken  up,  "  What  profit 
is  it,"  Sec.  O,  my  soul  I  lie  low  before  the  Eord  ;  be  ashamed  of  thy 
base,  carnal  reasoning  against,  and  unbelieving  thoughts  of  thy 
God.  What  profit  ?  Pride  avaunt.  Look  not  to  thy  keeping  his  or- 
dinances and  walking  mournfully  in  deep  humiliation  before  the 
I^rd,  yet  do  both  constantly  ;  but  look  to  a  covenant  God  in  Christ.... 
look  at  the  precious,  free-grace  promises  which  are  in  him. ...look 
to  THE  coMfORTKR,  to  rcccive  freely  out  of  the  fulness  of  Jesus, 
love  and  salvation. ...look  not  at  others  with  an  eye  of  envy,  but  look 
at  thyself  with  an  eye  of  astonishment,  and  adore  the  distinguish- 
ing love  of  the  Lord.  \Vhal  if  thou  hast  not  expected  comforts  in 
tl«c  way  ?  What  if  thou  walkest  mournfully  all  the  way  ?  Yet  thou 
ait  blessed,  and  hast  blessed  promises  to  support  thee  :  "  Blessed 
are  they  that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be  comforted, "....Matt.  v.  4. 
Mi«d  that  precious  word  :  they  who  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy. 
He  that  weepelh,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again 
with  rejoicing. ...Psalm  cxxvi.  6. 


DECEMBER   17.  356 

Mij  beloved  is  vi inc.... Song  ii.  16. 

Here  is  a  knowledge  worth  more  than  heaven  and  earth  ;  for 
heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  this  knowledge  endureth  for 
ever.  O  happy  souls,  who  are  favored  with  it,  give  fresh  glory  to 
your  beloved  to  night.  Ye  who  are  seeking  it,  rejoice  ;  for  he  hath 
said,  "  every  one  that  seeketh  findeth."....Matt.  vii.  8.  Happy  Job 
was  favored  with  it  when  he  was  in  heaviness  through  manifold  temp- 
tations, broken  in  the  place  of  dragons,  and  covered  with  the  shadow 
of  death  :  then  he  must  have  utterly  fainted  had  he  not  believed. 
Time  was,  when  Job  could  suy,  mv  health,  my  wealth,  my  honors,  my 
children,  m  y  comforts ;  but  these  were  all  dead  and  gone :  he  haJ  nothing 
within  nor  without  to  stay  his  soul  upon,  but  the  word  of  the  Lord  and 
the  Lord  revealed  in  the  word.  This  was  his  support  and  his  glory  ; 
though  I  have  lost  all  things,  I  have  my  Redeemer  still:  he  lives  : 
I  know  it :  while  he  lives,  I  cannot  die  :  as  he  has  redeemed  me,  I 
cannot  perish :  while  I  know  it,  I  cannot  despair  :  1  will  rejoice  in 
him,  though  I  am  stript  of  all  things  besides  him.  O,  how  does 
the  whole  world  lie  fast  asleep  in  the  arms  of  the  wicked  one,  with- 
out the  least  thought  of,  or  desire  after  the  knowledge  of  this  pre- 
cious Redeemer  !  But  how  many  poor  sinners  are  saying  !  O  that  I 
knew  this  dear  Redeemer  was  mine  :  O  that  I  could  say,  "  I  know 
MV  Redeemer  liveth."  Nothing  in  all  the  world  could  give  me  such 
comfort  as  this.  Bless  the  dear  Spirit,  for  he  hath  given  you  pecu- 
liar knowledge  of  Christ  and  special  approbation  of  him.  It  is  spe- 
cial grace  to  see  your  misery  as  a  sinner  and  your  want  of  a  Re- 
deemer, and  to  make  Christ  the  choice  of  your  soul.  You  know, 
you  believe  the  Redeemer  liveth.  Why,  all  this  is  in  consequence 
of  his  love  to  you  :  he  chose  you  :  he  loves  you  :  he  died  for  you  : 
he  lives  to  pray  for  you  :  therefore  he  has  blessed  you,  by  sending 
his  Spirit  to  you.  Why  then  should  unbelief  so  prevail  in  you  as  to 
keep  you  from  honoring  him,  by  claiming  him  as  your  beloved  and 
rejoicing  in  him  as  your  friend  ?  O  the  unspeakable  mercy  to  have 
such  a  Redeemer  1  We  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  even 
the  forgiveness  of  sins:  perfect  peace  with  God  and  a  sure  title  to 
glory.  Blessed  be  Ciod  for  Jesus  Christ.  O  study  the  work,  the 
perfectly  finished  and  everlastingly  glorious  work  of  Christ's  re- 
demption :  believe  his  precious  word  of  invitation,  come  unto  me  : 
his  precious  promise  is,  I  will  give  you  rest.  What  could  Christ 
have  done  more  than  he  hath  to  manifest  his  love  to  sinners  ?  Why 
then  should  you  or  I,  or  any  poor  sinner  be  kept  from  claiming  him 
by  faith,  saying,  this  is  my  beloved  and  my  friend  ?... .Song  v.  16, 


356  DECEMBER   18. 

Take  no  thought,  saying,  zvhat  shall  ive  eat?  Or  zvhat 
shall  we  drink  P  Or  zcherezcithal  shall  zve  be  clothed? 
Matt.  vi.  31. 

The  word  of  God  is  like  a  well  drawn  picture,  which,  whoever 
looks  at,  thinks  the  eyes  are  towards  him  and  fixed  on  him.  There 
is  in  Christ's  word  somewhat  that  suits  our  state  under  every  cir- 
cumstance and  in  all  times  and  seasons.  Pliny  speaks  of  a  rod  of 
myrtle,  which  if  a  traveller  carries  in  his  hand,  he  never  grows 
faint  nor  weary.  Verily,  Christ's  word  is  like  this  rod  of  myrtle  ; 
for  it  beguiles  our  weary  steps,  smooths  our  rugged  paths,  braces 
our  weak  nerves,  animates  our  weary  minds,  resolves  our  unreason- 
able doubts,  forbids  every  anxious  thought  and  tormenting  care. 
Christ  would  have  our  hearts  simple  in  faith  and  our  hope  steadily 
fixed  on  him,  so  as  not  to  be  running  out  in  anxious  cares  about  a 
dying  body  and  a  perishing  world.  To  cure  this,  let  it  suffice,  that 
your  heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  ye  have  need  of  these  things  : 
therefore  be  not  of  doubtful  mind,  as  though  ye  were  orphans,  who 
have  no  father  to  love  you  or  provide  for  you  :  he  directs  our 
thoughts  to  his  kingdom,  as  our  first  and  chief  concern,  and  assures 
us,  all  temporal  things  shall  be  added  :  or,  as  it  were  thrown  into 
the  scale.  If  not  for  the  body,  so^  neither  for  the  soul,  should  we 
be  of  doubtful  minds.  Our  Father  hath  made  ample  provision  for 
that  also.  1st.  "  What  shall  we  eat?"  The  most  precious,  heaven- 
ly, soiil-nourishing  food  is  set  before  iis  in  the  gospel,  the  flesh 
OF  Christ  which  is  meat  indeed  :  "  The  word  was  made  flesh, 
and  dwelt  among  us. "....John  i.  14.  On  purpose  that  we  might 
feed  on  him  and  live  by  him.  Says  he,  "  he  that  eateth  me,  even 
he  shall  live  by  me. "....John  vi.  57.  Believing  on  Christ  is  feeding 
on  him.  Hath  your  heart  fed  on  Christ  to  day  by  faith  ?  2d.  "  What 
shall  we  drink  ?"  The  blood  of  Christ.  His  blood  is  drink  indeed. 
Says  he,  "  He  that  eateth  my  flesh,  and  drinketh  my  blood,  dwellcth 
in  me,  and  I  in  him."  O,  without  this  mutual  in-dwelling,  if  we 
have  the  most  spacious  dwelling,  we  are  under  wraih  and  curse  ; 
but  if  Christ  be  in  us,  and  we  in  him,  we  dwell  in  God,  in  heaven, 
in  glory,  by  faith.  Drink  the  precious,  sin-atoning  blood  of  Christ 
by  faith  to-night,  and  be  thankful.  3d.  "  Wherewithal  shall  we 
be  clothed  ?"  Poor  naked  sinner,  the  robe  of  righteousness,  the  gar- 
ment of  salvation,  wrought  out  by  the  elder  brother,  is  put  upon 
thee  by  thy  heavenly  Father.  It  is  not  only  unto  all,  but  upon 
ALL  who  believe... .Rom.  iii.  22.  Remember  the  myrtle  :  carry 
Christ's  word  in  the  hand  of  faith,  "  lest  ye  be  wearied  and  faint  in 
your  minds. "....Heb.  xii.  3. 

Our  heavenly  Father  will  provide  Then  turn  your  anxious  thoughts  to 

What's  needful  and  is  best,  In  Jesus  ever  rest.  [pray'rs, 

M. 


DECEMBER   19.  35^ 

Jesus  said  unto  his  discipks,  if  any  man  to  ill  come  after 
me,  let  him  deny  himself  ....Matt.  xvi.  24. 

We  are  called  to  follow  Christ  in  the  RF.GF.xrRATioN,...Matt. 
xix.  28.  That  is,  in  that  new  state  of  things,  called  "  the  time  of 
reformation. "....Heb.  ix.  10.  Wherein  he  has  set  all  things  right 
between  God  and  us  sinners.  Christ  has  not  left  us  any  thing  to  do, 
whereby  to  satisfy  divine  justice  and  to  fulfil  the  holy  law,  in  order 
to  procure  God's  favor  and  a  title  to  his  kingdom  ;  but  only  to  come 
after  him,  to  reap  all  the  glorious  spoils  and  victories  of  his  law- 
fulfilling  life  and  sin-atoning  death,  in  our  perfect  reconciliation  to 
God,  justification  before  bim,  acceptance  and  peace  with  him.  O 
soul,  this  knowledge  is  essential  to  thy  following  Christ  in  faith  and 
love  :  without  this,  you  cannot  come  after  him  one  step.  Therefore 
in  love  he  bids  thee  deny  thyself:  a-5  though  he  had  said,  all^things 
in  the  olfl  creation  of  fallen  nature  are  contrary  to  my  spiritual  king- 
dom and  oppose  my  reign  in  the  heart,  therefore,  all  in  self  must 
be  denied.  Receive  this  in  faith,  as  the  command  of  love,  to  enjoy 
peace  and  comfort  in  thy  Lord.  1st.  Thy  carnal  reason  exalts  itself 
against  the  grace  and  truth  of  thy  Lord  :  deny  this.  2d.  Thy  self- 
righteous  pride  of  obtaining  righteousness  by  works,  opposes  free 
and  full  justification  unto  life,  by  the  spotless  righteousness  of  Christ: 
renounce  that.  3d.  The  selfish  notion  bf  fulfilling  terms  and  con- 
ditions of  salvation,  is  contrary  to  following  Christ,  as  having 
finished  our  salvation :  disown  that.  4th.  Corrupt  lusts  will  draw 
away  thy  heart  from  following  Christ,  in  the  paths  of  holiness  : 
deny  them.  5th.  The  pleasures  of  carnal  sense  attract  the  heart 
from  Christ :  renounce  them.  6th.  Unbelief  is  an  enemy  to  thy 
Lord's  love  and  truth  :  resist  it :  oppose  thy  Lord's  word  to  it.  7th, 
Doubts  and  fears  that  Christ  will  not  receive  thee  ;  will  reject  thee  ; 
th"t  he  will  not  save  thee  to  the  uttermost ;  that  thou  mayest  perish 
at  last,  will  prevent  thy  comfortably  following  Christ :  reject  them: 
oppose  his  loving  promise  to  them.  Lastly,  deny,  renounce  and 
disown  the  notion,  that  thou  hast  any  power  of  thy  own  to  deny 
thyself  in  following  Christ  and  to  persevere  to  the  end.  Let  this 
ever  be  thy  prayer,  "  Draw  me,  I  will  run  after  thee. "....Song.  i.  4. 
Christ's  power  of  drawing  is  our  strength  for  denying  and  running: 
therefore,  when  Christ  says  deny  thyself,  look  not  on  him  as  a 
rigorous  law-giver,  to  enslave  thee  under  bondage ;  but  as  a  precious 
law-fulfiller,  a  loving  Saviour,  and  grace  bestowed  on  miserable  sin- 
ners. He  would  have  us  live  totally  out  of  corrupt  nature  and  car- 
nal self,  be  quite  happy  in  him,  and  comfortable  in  following  of 
him :  for  he  saith,  "  I  that  speak  in  righteousness,  am  mighty  to 
save."....Isa.  Ixiii.  1.  Profession  is  easy  to  hypocrites  :  self-denial 
is  the  evidence  of  real  disciples. 


358  DECEMBER  20. 

Under iieath  are  the  everlasting  arms....Deut.  xxxiii.  27. 

It  is  storied  of  Anteus,  that  every  time  Hercules  threw  him 
to  the  ground,  he  rose  up  the  stronger  ;  for  he  got  new  strength  by- 
touching  his  mother,  the  earth.  This  is  true  of  the  christian  :  the 
more  he  is  assaulted  and  thrown  down  by  the  enemy,  he  falls  into 
the  Lord's  everlasting  arms  and  gets  fresh  strength  :  he  cannot  be 
thrown  down  lower  than  God  suiters ;  for  "  underneath  are  God's 
everlasting  arms."  His  word  is  full  of  grace,  his  arms  almighty, 
his  love  everlasting.  Here  is  the  wisdom,  here  the  glory  of  the 
Liord's  people,  to  look  from  themselves,  to  go  out  of  themselves 
for  safety  and  salvation.  For  they  rest  upon  God's  word:  they  be- 
lieve the  Lord  to  be  all  that  to  them  which  he  has  said.  This  is 
living  by  fivith  ;  honoring  the  Lord's  truth  ;  glorifying  the  Saviour's 
natne.  Why  are  we  told?  "  Underneath  are  the  everlasting  arms." 
Because  we  know  and  see  ourselves  deserving  of  hell,  and  liable  to 
fall  into  the  pit  of  destruction.  Therefore  the  Lord  would  have  our 
hearts  strong  in  him,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might,  that  we  might 
not  fear  the  face  of  any  enemy,  nor  be  dismayed  under  the  sense  of 
our  oAvn  vileness  and  insufficiency  to  stand.  The  spouse  of  Christ 
thus  sweetly  expresses  her  comfort  and  safety,  "  His  left  hand  is  un- 
der rjiy  head  :  his  right  hand  doth  embrace  me. "....Cant.  ii.  6.  Signi- 
fying that  she  was  encircled  in  the  arms  of  her  loving  Saviour  :  both 
hands  were  engaged  for  her  safety  and  support.  O  drooping  be- 
liever I  Why  dost  thou  hang  down  thy  head  ?  Why  those  dejecting 
doubts  and  distressing  fears  ?  Look  back  to  the  everlasting  covenant : 
there  everlasting  love  presided.  Then  wast  thou  viewed,  and  thy 
case  provided  for.  Look  up,  there  sits  a  God  of  love  on  a  throne  of 
grace ;  there  stands  thy  blessed  advocate,  Jesus,  ever  pleading  thy 
cause.  Look  underneath,  there  are  the  everlasting  arms  to  sustain 
and  support  thee.  What  power  then  shall  prevail  against  thee? 
Neither  sin,  death  or  hell,  can  snatch  tliec  out  of  the  everlasting 
arms  of  thy  almighcy  God,  thy  reconciled  Father  :  out  of  the  loving 
arms  of  thy  gracious  Redeemer:  out  of  the  powerful  arms  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  thy  sanctifier.  Everlasting  safety  is  in  everlasting  arms. 
Here  is  a  covenant  declaration.  Exercise  the  covenant  grace  of 
faith  upon  this  text.  1st.  "  The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge."  Flae 
to  him  in  distress.  2d.  His  everlasting  arms  are  underneath.  Re- 
joice in  thy  safety.  3d.  He  will  thrust  out  every  enemy  before  thee, 
and  speak  destruction  to  them.  Happy  art  thou,  O  believer  !  Who 
is  like  unto  thee,   saved  by  thy  Lord  ? 

O  Lonl.  I  bless  thee  for  thy  word,        Which  does  such  daily  strength  afford. 
To  build  my  faith  upon ;  My  heav'nly  race  to  run.  M. 


DECEMBER  21.  359 

Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence.... Prov.  iv.  23. 

Camden  reports,  that  "Redwald  king  of  the  East-Saxons,  the 
first  prince  of  this  nation  who  was  baptized,  yet  in  the  same  church 
allowed  an  altar  for  Christ,  and  another  for  the  heathen  idols." 
How  many  professors  imitate  him.  Their  hearts  are  not  whole  with 
Christ:  they  are  sons  of  folly.  This  is  a  charge  of  wisdom  to  all 
her  children:  consider  there  is  but  one  object  can  make  your  heart 
happy  ;  there  are  a  thousand  that  promise  happiness,  but  only  give 
misery  :  keep  thy  heart  in  (the  sense  of)  the  love  of  God....Jude,  2  1. 
Give  all  diligence  to  this  blessed  end  :  unless  you  do,  vanity  may 
prevail  in  the  mind,  error  in  the  understanding,  pcrverscness  in  the 
will,  the  affections  may  be  inordinately  set  upon  other  objects  than 
thy  Lord,  and  so  thy  conscience  will  contract  fresh  guilt.  Then 
thou  mayest  be  left  to  bemoan  a  hard  heart  and  an  absent  Cod: 
darkness  may  surround  thee  ;  fears  and  terrors  haunt  thee ;  the  ghosts 
of  long-departed  sins  may  arise  and  distress  thee  ;  the  prospect  of 
death  and  eternity  appear  horrible  to  thee ;  the  day  of  judgment  most 
dreadful,  while  satan  triumphs  OTer  thee,  with,'ther2,  t  here,  so 
would  I  have  it.'  Then  may  thy  heart  upbraid  thee,  all  this  is  come 
upon  thee  because  thou  wasi  not  diligent  to  watch  its  motions,  to 
keep  out  the  enemy,  and  to  keep  up  sweet  communion  and  holy  fel- 
lowship with  thy  best  friend,  thy  loving  Saviour.  O,  say  not  with 
some,  (who  have  more  of  the  notion  of  Christianity  in  the  liead  than 
the  experience  of  it  in  the  heart).  Why  all  this  legal  stuff  about 
keeping  the  heart?  Hath  not  the  Lord  said,  "I  will  keep  it  night 
and  day,  lest  any  hurt  it  ?"....Isa.  xxvii.  3.  Yes,  blessed  be  his  name, 
he  has.  Would  you  therefore  abuse  his  love  ?  Behold  I  shew  you 
a  mystery.  But  it  is  the  mystery  of  iniquity,  which  works  in  such, 
causing  them  to  oppose  the  declarations  and  promises  of  the  Lord, 
to  his  commands  and  exhortations  :  the  former  arc  taken  up  as  a  plea 
for  such  cursed,  corrupt  notions.  Because  you  depend  on  the  Lord's 
providence  for  preservation,  would  you  be  careless  of  the  doors  of 
your  house,  and  not  use  diligence  and  care  to  keep  out  thieves  ?  Lord 
stir  up  my  soul  to  give  all  diligence.  Though,  not  for  our  diligence 
we  shall  be  saved,  yet,  in  a  way  of  di  ligence,  we  shall  escape  many 
snares  and  evils,  and  enjoy  safety  and  comfort:  "The  soul  of  the 
diligent  shall  be  made  fat."....Prov.  xiii.  4.  Such  shall  feed  upon 
heavenly  truth,  grace  and  love ;  their  souls  shall  prosper  and  be  in 
good  health  ;  while  careless  triflers  with  God  and  their  own  souls, 
shall  go  to  rest  with  dejection,  rise  with  distress,  and  live  in  awful 
suspence. 

No  peace  of  soul,  no  joy  of  heart,  T  hen,  O  my  soul,  would'st  thru  cr.joy 

Unless  we  watchful  are,  The  smiles  of  thy  dear  Christ  ? 

To  walk  in  truth,  from  sin  depart.  Whatever  wouUl  thy  peace  destroy, 
•  And  shun  each  treach'rous  tnare.  Be  carcfiil  to  resist.  M. 


860  DECEMBER  22. 

Say  to  ihem  that  are  of  a  fearful  heart,  he  strongs  fear 
not.. ..ha.  XXXV.  4. 

Mind  the  title  to  this  chapter :  "  The  flourishing  of  Christ's 
kingdom."  What !  And  yet  fearful  hearts  in  it?  What  sort  of  dis- 
ciples are  these  ?  There  ever  were  such  in  the  church.  We  meet 
with  them  daily.  Where  is  the  heart  which  at  times  is  not  fearful? 
Does  not  stand  in  need  of  being  strengthened  by  the  word  and  grace 
of  God  ?  O,  says  one,  I  am  of  a  fearful  heart  :  I  read  my  doom  :  it  is 
to  have  my  part  with  the  unbelieving,  the  abominable,  murderers, 
See.  in  the  lake  that  burns  with  fire  and  brimstone. ...Rev.  xxi.  8. 
Yes  :  this  will  be  the  certain  portion  of  all  who  are  so  fearful  of 
their  good  names  and  fair  characters,  as  to  be  asliamed  of  Christ  and 
his  gospel,  and  give  them  up  for  the  love  and  fear  of  this  world  ;  but 
not  of  such  fearful  hearts  here  spoken  of.  1st.  This  sort  arc  rather 
of  "  a  hasty  heart."  It  discovers  its  state  by  its  beating,  as  the 
pulse  do  the  disorders  of  the  body.  It  beats  quick  :  it  trembles  :  it 
fears  the  face  of  its  enemies  :  it  dreads  destruction  from  them.  2d. 
Such  a  hasty  heart  is  precipitate  and  inconsiderate:  because  it  does 
not  know  so  clearly  nor  enjoy  so  comfortably  the  grace  of  Christ  as 
others  do,  it  is  hasty  in  writing  bitter  things  against  itself,  and 
drawing  black  conclusions  of  its  state  :  such  an  one  says,  "  I  am 
fearful  I  am  not  one  of  the  elect ;  not  a  believer  in  Christ ;  am  not 
sanctified  by  his  Spirit ;  shall  at  last  turn  out  a  hypocrite,  and  bring 
a  scandal  upon  Christ  and  his  gospel."  Such  fears  are  of  a  godly 
nature  ;  they  spring  from  godly  jealously.  Such  are  Christ's  tender 
lambs  and  timorous  sheep  :  therefore,  he  commands  his  ministers 
to  say  to  such,  "be  strong."  Though  your  strength  is  perfect 
weakness,  and  your  enemies  powerful  and  innumerable,  yet... .what? 
Be  strong  in  confidence,  in  the  Lord's  word  of  grace  and  truth  :  in 
the  belief  of  his  promises:  "fear  not:"  banish  your  fears:  hear 
your  Lord,  look  to  him:  "behold  your  God:"  the  God  of  fearful 
hearts  and  trembling  spirits.  Your  God  in  flesh,  "will  come  with 
vengeance,"  against  all  your  enemies,  even  God  "with  a  recompence." 
His  reward  is  with  him.  Nothing  but  love  is  in  his  heart ;  his  lips 
spjak  notiiing  but  grace  and  truth  to  fearful  hearts  and  trembling 
souls  :  "  lie  will  come  and  save  you."  Believe  this  :  bless  him  for 
this:  trust  him  for  this  :  rejoice  in  him  for  this:  wait  upon  him  for 
this.  Be  assured  of  this,  "The  Lord  is  a  God  of  judgment ;  bles- 
sed are  all  they  that  wait  for  liim."....Isa.  xxx.  18. 

'I'hniiijh  fearful  is  my  lieart,  Be  strong  in  faith,  my  soul. 

My  Lord  proclaims  his  grace:  Honor  thy  faithful  Lord, 

He  sweetly  bids  my  fears  depart,  \VI>o  ran  thy  fiercest  foes  controul  : 

And  rhev.s  his  loving  face.  Siill  glory  in  his  word.  M. 


DECEMBER  23.  S5I 

All  my  springs  are  in  thee. ...Psalm  Ixxxvii.  7. 

Philosophers,  who  know  not  God,  who  cloth  all  things  bv  his 
power,  talk  of  an  occult  quality  in  nature;  a  certain  something-, 
which  they  can  neither  explain  nor  account  for,  but  which  doth  won- 
ders. Just  as  darkly  do  many  speak  of  a  light  within,  which  if  they 
are  obedient  to,  and  do  not  resist,  will  guide  and  sanctify  them  :  but 
they  manifest  that  it  is  not  a  divine  light,  for  it  teaches  them  to  slight 
and  reject  divine  revelation.  This  is  Deism.  But  the  heavenly- 
taught  soul  speaks  as  the  oracles  of  God:  he  confesses  Christ  dwells 
in  his  heart  by  faith,  and  says,  O  Jesu,  "•  all  my  springs  are  in  thee  ;" 
thou  art  that  spring  which  puts  and  keeps  my  soul  in  spiritual  mo- 
tion. We  see  the  vibration  of  the  balance  of  a  watch ;  we  know  its 
motion  is  from  the  main-spring,  and  the  union  it  has  v.  ith  it.  Stop, 
say  the  sons  of  pride,  compare  not  man  to  a  machine  :  truly,  he  is 
worse  ihan  a  good  machine,  in  good  order  ;  verily,  he  is  naturally 
like  a  bad  machine,  out  of  order  ;  for  satan  has  dominion  over  him, 
rules  in  him,  and  works  upon  him,  according  to  his  power.. ..Eph. 
ii.  2.  O,  omnipotent  Lord,  it  is  by  thy  heavenly  skill  our  souls  ''  are 
created  in  Christ  Jesus,  unto  good  works.  We  are  thy  workman- 
ship."....Eph.  ii.  10.  1st.  Hence  springs  the  good  work  of  humility 
in  the  soul.  I  have  no  spring  in  myself,  in  my  own  free-will ;  no  in- 
herent righteousness,  power,  wisdom  or  goodness:  I  can  draw  no 
waters  of  consolation  to  refresh  my  soul,  from  any  thing  I  am  in  my- 
self, or  can  do  for  myself:  I  could  as  soon  find  a  spring  of  water  in 
a. hot,  dry,  sandy  desart,  as  in  myself.  Hence,  with  David,  "lam 
in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land  where  no  water  is.".. ..Psalm  Ixiii.  1.  But, 
2d.  Here  is  the  joyful  claim  of  faith,  "  All  my  springs  are  in  thee.'' 
O  Jesu,  when  I  find  my  soul  dry,  and  parched  with  burning  lusts, 
fiery  darts  from  satan,  scorching  temptations  from  the  world  :  the 
springs  of  thy  love,  the  streams  of  thy  grace,  the  fountain  of  thy 
blood,  my  Lord  and  my  God,  cool,  refresh,  and  comfort  my  soul. 
Dear  Lord,  thou  hast  cried,  "  If  any  man  thrist,  let  him  come  unto 
ME  and  drink. ".... John  vii.  37.  O  free  and  precious  invitation!  I 
thank  thee,  Lord,  for  it,  and  for  the  thirsting  my  soul  has  towards 
thee.  Glory  to  thee,  I  do  believe  on  thee.  Thou  hast  said,  I  shall 
never  thirst  after  any  other  but  thee,  for  salvation.. ..John  vi.  35. 
"  For  it  pleased  the  Father,  that  in  thee  all  fulness  should  dwell." 
....Col.  i.  19.  I  acquiesce  in  it:  I  rejoice  at  it:  "O  Lord,  I  will 
praise  thee,  though  thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger  is  turned 
away  and  thou  comfortedst  me."....Isa.  xii.  1. 
Vol.  n.  X  X 


562  DECEMBER  24. 

Lo,  this  is  the  man  zcho  made  not  God  his  stre?7gth.... 
Psalm  lii.  7. 

The  following  fact  I  had  froiii  my  late  beloved  friend,  and  faith- 
ful minister  of  Christ,  Mr.  Jones.  A  poor  infidel  deist  had  conceiv- 
ed a  strange  notion,  that  men  need  not  die  unless  they  would.  Upon 
his  death-bed  he  afl'ected  to  be  resolute  and  bid  God  defiance.  In 
his  last  moments  he  sprang  up,  gnashed  with  his  teeih,  and  with 
looks  of  horror  cried  out,  "  God,  I  will  not  die."  With  these  words 
he  expired.  O  the  fearful  death  of  the  ungodly,  who  make  not  God 
their  strength  !  O  the  joyful  end  of  the  righteous,  Avhose  strength 
is  in  the  Lord  !  They  have  hope  in  their  death  ;  for  they  make  God 
their  strength  in  their  life.  What  can  a  vile  sinner  do  to  make  God 
his  friend  ?  Where  is  the  impotent  sinner  who  can  make  God  his 
strength  ?  What  meaneth  this  ?  Why,  God  is  that  to  every  poor  sin- 
ner which  the  word  reveals  him  and  faith  takes  him  to  be.  Consider 
this.  You  say,  I  am  a  weak,  needy  creature.  What  saith  the  Lord? 
"  Let  him  take  hold  of  my  strength.".... Isa.  xxvii.  5.  "  Thou  hast 
been  a  strength  to  the  poor  ;  a  strength  to  the  needy  in  his  distress.". 
Isa.  XXV.  4.  Again,  in  that  sweet  52nd.  chapter,  the  title  of  which 
runs  thus,  Christ  persuadeth  the  church  to  believe  his 
FREE  REDEMPTION,  the  Lord  calls  upon  poor  and  needy  sinners, 
"  Awake,  awake,  put  on  thy  strength. "....ver.  1.  Now  hence,  for 
the  encouragement  of  our  hearts  and  to  the  joy  of  our  souls,  we  see, 
that  the  Lord  is  the  strength  of  that  soul  who  believes  in  him, 
chooses  him,  takes  and  receives  him  as  such.  Faith  is  the  hand 
ihat  takes  hold  of  God's  strength.  Faith  claims  God  as  the  strength 
of  the  poor  and  needy.  And,  because  our  poor  hearts  are  apt  to 
grow  heavy  and  sleepy,  neglect  and  forget  the  strength  of  our  heart 
and  our  portion,  lo,  he  crieth  to  us  with  a  mighty  voice,  "Awake, 
AWAKE. "....Jer.  xvii.  Lift  up  your  eyes :  look  unto  me,  who, "  when 
ye  were  without  strength,  in  due  time  died  for  the  ungodly. "....Rom. 
V.  6.  Put  on  thy  stuencjth.  Thou  hast  no  inherent  strength. 
Know  thy  strength  is  perfect  weakness.  Put  on  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ :  he  is  "  tlie  Lord  Jehovah,  in  whom  is  everlasting  strength." 
....Isa.  xxvi.  4.  Learn  daily  that  blessed  art,  to  say  with  St.  Paul, 
*'  When  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong.". ...2  Cor.  xii.  10.  The  Lord 
commands  you,  "Let  the  weak  say,  I  am  strong."... . Joel  iii.  10. 
"  Be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  tlie  power  of  his  might. "....Eph. 
vi.  10. 

God  horn  and  living  here  on  earth,  Hold  fast  this  truth  in  faith,  :ny  soul, 
In  Hesh  like  to  our  own  ;  Tliro'  all  thy  trials  here; 

To  faith  an<l  joy  and  peace  gives  birth,  This  will  thy  pow'rs  in  love  controui, 
And  all  our  sorrows  drown.  'Till  Christ  again  appear.         M. 


DECEMBER  25.  363 

Emanuel,  God  loith  us. ...Matt,  i,  23. 

This  is  the  mystery  which  holy  angels  pry  into. ...infernal  de- 
vils envy.... proud  infidels  reject  with  derision... .humble  sinners  glory- 
in... .and  which  all  the  redeemed  around  the  throne  above  are  inces- 
santly shouting  and  everlastingly  triumphing  for. 
"'Till  God  in  human  flesh  I  see. 
My  thoughts  no  comfort  find  : 
The  holy,  just,  and  ?acred  Three, 
Are  terrors  to  my  mind." 
This  is  the  language  of  every  sin-convinced,  spiritually  enlighten- 
ed soul.     O  how  did  we  talk  of  God  in  nature's  darkness,  when  we 
were  Avithout  Christ,  having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the  world, 
even  Atheists.     But  now,  O  wonder  of  converting  grace,  we  see, 
we  believe,  we   know,  God   with  us.     This  is  the  chief  glory  of 
our   faith.. ..the   chief  joy  of  our   hearts.      1st.  God   with    us,  in 
the   eternal   council  and  covenant  before  time  :    there  he  had  our 
persons  in  view,    our  case  at   heart,    and    undertook    to   be  our 
surety,  our  Jesus.     Lo,  we  were  then  given  to  him  by  the  Fa- 
ther.    That,  2d.  In   the   fulness  of  time,  he   might  be  God   with 
us,  in  our  flesh.     Lo,  he  is  born  :   see  the  babe  :   adore  the  God  :   re- 
joice in  "  Emanuel,  God  with  us."     That,  3d.   He  might  accom- 
plish that  in  our  nature,  without  which  we  must  have  been  eternally 
damned ;  but  for  which  we  are  everlastingly  saved  :  namely,  finish 
transgression,  make  an    end  of  sin,    and   bring    in   an  everlasting 
righteousness  ;   suffer,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  to  bring  us  to  God.... 
1  Pet.  ili.    18.     This   is   sweet  in  the  history  ;    but,  O  how  much 
more  so  in  the  experience  of  the  mystery.     4th.     God  with  us, 
living   in    our   hearts,  hopes  and  affections  by  the  Spirit,  through 
faith.     We  know,  we  faste,  we  feel  the  reality,  power  and  comfort 
of  this  truth,  God  in   Christ    reconciled,  not   imputing  our  tres- 
passes to  us.. ..2  Cor.  v.  19.     Therefore,   5th.   God  with  us,  to  op- 
pose all  who  are  against  us.     Well  might  Paul  ask,  "  If  God  be  for 
us,  who  can   be  against  us  ?"....  Rom.  viii.  31.     Now,  may  we  not 
stand  forth  and   challenge  all  the   powers  of  sin,  earth,   and  hellr 
"  who  shall  lay  any  thing,  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  For  God 
the' justificr,  and  we  the  justified,  are   one  in  Christ;  "  I  in  them 
and  thou  in  me,"  says  our  Lord. ...John  xvii.  23.     Hence  we  meet 
in  love,  mutually  embrace,   and  have   fellowship  one  with  another. 
This   is   the    glory  of  Christ's   nativity,  brought   into    our  hearts. 
"  Christ  in  us  the  hope  of  glory. "....Col.  i.  27.     This  makes  a  joy- 
ful soul,  and  a  happy  Christmas. 

Thou  God  who  came  in  mortal  flesh,    In  spirit  visit  us  afresh. 
The  lost  to  seek  and  save:  New  triumphs  let  us  have. 


36t  DECEMBER  26. 

To  reveal  his  Son  in  ?ne....Gal.  i.  IG. 

From  hence  begins  spiritual  life  :  a  life  from  God,  in  God,  with 
Cod,  and  to  God.  By  the  gospel,  the  Son  of  God  is  revealed  to 
us  :  by  the  Spirit  he  is  revealed  in  us.  External  revelation  by  the 
word,  and  internal  by  the  Spirit,  are  both  necessary  to  salvation. 
Though  Paul  was  separated  from  his  mother's  womb,  to  be  called 
by  the  grace  of  God,  yet  he  had  not  this  inward  revelation  of  Jesus 
Christ  to  his  heart,  till  he  heard  the  external  word  of  Chi'ist  with 
his  ear,  saying,  "Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me?".. ..Acts 
ix.  4.  Hence  learn  to  prize  both  the  outward  testimony  of  the 
Avorri  and  the  inward  testimony  of  the  Spirit.  Consider,  1st.  To 
reveal,  signifies  to  discover,  or  make  clear  to  a  person  what  he  did 
not  know  before.  So,  Fhil.  iii.  15.  "If  in  any  thing  ye  be  other- 
Avise  minded,  God  shall  reveal  even  this  unto  you."  So  the  gospel 
is  a  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ,  without  which  we  could  never  have 
kiiown  nor  understood  that  our  sins  are  atoned  by  the  blood,  our 
persons  justified  by  the  righteousness,  and  our  souls  everlastingly 
redeemed  and  saved  by  the  work  of  Christ.  Is  this  knowledge  by 
this  revelation  all  that  is  necessary  to  salvation  ?  No  :  persons  may 
attain  a  notion  of  these  things  in  the  head  and  understand  somewhat 
of  them,  and  yet  the  heart  be  without  precious  faith  in,  and  pecu- 
liar approbation  of  Christ,  destitute  of  the  love  of  Christ  and  of 
any  saving  hope  in  him.  But,  2d.  This  is  the  chief  glory  of  our 
souls,  tlie  revealing  Christ  in  us.  O  for  the  reviving  comfort  of 
this  while  we  consider  it.  To  reveal  Christ  in  us,  is  to  make  such 
a  clear  discovery  of  the  matchless  charms  and  inestimable  glory  of 
liis  person  to  our  souls,  which  we  never  saw  before,  so  that  our 
hearts  are  enamoured  with  him,  we  choose  him,  love  him,  delight 
in  him,  and  cleave  to  him  in  all  his  offices  and  characters  ;  for  by 
the  eye  of  our  "  soul  we  behold  his  glory,  the  glory  as  of  the  only 
begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grack  akd  truth,"  to  us  mise- 
rable sinners  :  hence  he  is  the  one  beloved  of  our  souls.  Without 
this  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ  in  us,  alas!  what  is  all  external  pro- 
fession ?  No  more  than  mere  task,  dry  formality,  and  heavy  drud- 
gery. O  my  soul,  O  my  dear  friends,'  be  not  content  to  live  with- 
out a  constant  revelation  of  Christ  to  your  souls  :  this  makes  the 
conscience  peaceful,  tiie  heart  happy,  and  the  soul  joyful  :  this 
inspires  love,  subdues  lust,  captivates  the  affections,  makes  the 
\\  hole  man  happy  in  God,  and  creates  heaven  in  the  soul.  If  Christ 
is  within,  in  the  heart,  all  will  be  right  and  well  w  ithout,  in  the  life. 
If  you  believe  in  Christ,  as  revealed  in  the  word,  this  blessed  pro- 
mise is  for  you  ;  pray  for  its  daily  fulfilnient,  "  I  will  manifest  my- 
self unto  him. "....John  xiv.  21. 


DECEMBER  27.  35  5 

Yc  are  all  one  in  CJirist  Jesus. ...Gal.  Hi.  28. 

Will  a  covetous  man  be  content  with  the  xotion  that  he  is 
rich  ?  If  your  body  was  in  pain,  would  it  give  you  ease  to  think  of 
a  remedy  without  experiencing  its  salutary  ellects  ?  What  avails  all 
the  refined  notions  of  eternal  imion,  without  experiencing  that  the 
«oul  is  vitally  united  to  Christ  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit,  through 
faith  ?  O  my  soul,  I  charge  thee  not  to  rest  satisfied  with  the  notion 
of  the  doctrine  of  union,  without  the  comforts  of  the  grace  of  being 
united  to  Christ,  and  being  one  with  him  in  heart  and  affection.  O, 
my  Jesus,  to  tliee  I  look  and  pray,  to  find  and  feel  more  and  more 
the  sweet  experience  of  this:  give  it  my  soul  out  of  thy  fulness. 
Consider,  1st.  The  persons  here  spoken  of,  ye:  ye  Jews,  who  had 
the  form  of  godliness  without  the  power:  ye  Gentile  sinners,  who 
once  had  neither  the  form,  nor  the  power  of  Christianity :  ye  apostate 
sinners,  who  yesterday  were  haters  of  God,  at  enmity  against  his 
law,  rebels  against  his  government,  in  league  with  sin,  death  and 
hell;  fighting  under  the  prince  of  darkness:  see  what  ye  are  now. 
Behold  what  grace  has  done  for  you :  see  into  whom  it  has  implanted 
you.  2d.  "  In  Christ  Jesus."  Not  only  in  the  knowledge  of  him, 
faith  IN  him,  hope  on  him,  and  love  to  him:  though  all  this  is  pre- 
cious ;  but  much  more,  ye  are  mystically  and  spiritually  united 
to  Christ,  as  truly  as  your  soul  is  to  your  body,  your  body  to  your 
head,  or  your  hand  to  your  body.  Now  Christ  is  your  life,  your 
husband,  your  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctificiilion  and  redemp- 
tion....! Cor.  i.  30.  Ye  are  compleat:  perfect  in  him....Col.  ii.  10. 
Simply  believe  this  :  look  to  Christ  for  the  comfort  of  this  :  glorify 
the  Spirit  for  the  grace  of  this.  3d.  "  Ye  are  all  one  in  Christ," 
whether  Jew  or  (it-ntile,  churchman  or  dissenter,  &c.  we,  beini' 
many  (though  of  ditterenl  denominations  and  opinions)  are  one 
body.... I  Cor.  x.  17.  Christ  is  the  head:  we  are  all  members  in 
him,  and  of  one  another.  As  Luther  says,  "  we  have  the  same 
Christ ;  I,  thou,  and  all  the  faithful,  which  Peter,  Paul,  and  all 
the  saints  had."  We  are  all  in  the  same  Jesus:  have  all  one  Father, 
one  comforter,  and  are  of  one  Spirit.  Then  let  this  faith  quell  all 
unholy  strife,  and  excite  all  heavenly  love  to  each  other.  O  let  us 
make  it  manifest  that  we  are  in  Christ,  by  following  him  who  is  our 
peace,  and  by  holding  the  unity  of  "  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace. 
Let  us  consider  one  another,  to  provoke  unto  love  and  good  works.".... 
Heb.  X.  24. 

Tliou  sinner's  only  hope  and  friend,  Let  faith  and  love  and  every  grace 

Within  my  soul  still  reign,  Within  my  heart  abound  ; 

One  with  my  heart  unto  the  end,  That  I  may  prove  inev'ry  place, 

Of  all  my  strife  and  pain.  That  Jesus  1  have  found.          M. 


366  DECEMBER  28. 

Yc  arc  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  wiih  Clirist  in  God..., 
Col.  iii.  3. 

Wf.  are  apt  to  luistakt:  the  words  and  pervert  the  meaning-  of 
scripture.  This  charge  is  brought  against  us  by  Jeremiah  :  "  Ye 
have  perverted  the  words  of  the  living  God."....xxiii.  36.  This 
dejects  our  souls,  robs  Christ  of  the  glory  of  our  hearts,  and  pre- 
vents our  holy  and  comfortable  walk  in  him.  See  if  this  is  not  the 
case  in  respect  to  this  text.  Ye  believers  in  Christ  are  dead,  1st. 
"  To  the  law,  by  the  body  of  Christ. "....Rom.  vii.  4.  Being  one 
with  Christ  by  faith,  you  are  dead  to  all  legal  hopes  from  your 
own  works.  2d.  Dead  to  sin,  being  baptised  into  Christ  by  his 
Spirit.. .. Rom.  vi.  3.  3d.  Dead  to  the  world,  being  crucified  with 
Christ... .Gal.  vi.  14.  .O,  says  one  and  another  sincere  soul,  I  am 
not  thus  dead  :  I  have  no  true  faith,  I  find  sin  alive  in  me  :  legal 
hopes  and  fears  cleave  to  me,  and  too  much  love  of  the  world  in  me, 
to  my  grief  and  burckn.  Behold,  here  is  distress  through  mistake. 
Paul  doth  not  say,  all  these  things  are  dead  in  you  ;  but  ye  are  dead 
to  them  :  that  you  are  not  in  subjection  to  them  ;  that  they  are 
your  burden  ;  that  you  gi'oan  under,  and  long  for  deliverance  from 
ihem,  are  the  clearest  proofs  that  you  partake  of  the  life  of  Christ. 
Glory  to  Jesus  for  this.  Yolk  life  is  hid  entirely  from  carnal 
TOCh  :  they  cannot  see  the  spring  and  motive  of  your  conduct :  mar- 
vel not  that  they  deride  you  for  it:  your  life  is  often  hid  to  yourself. 
When  the  dunghill  of  corruption's  steam,  temptation's  smoke,  the 
black  exhalations  of  unbelief  arise,  and  Christ  our  life  withdraws 
his  presence,  then  it  is  so  hid  that  we  fear  our  life  is  dead  :  but  that 
is  as  impossible  as  for  God  to  die  ;  for  our  life  is  hid  wrrii  Christ  r 
then  it  can  ne\  er  be  lost.  Who  can  deprive  us  of  it  ?  Not  all  the 
powers  of  sin,  earth  nor  hell :  true,  they  may  and  do  often  rob  oui* 
souls  of  the  comforts  and  joys  of  our  spiritual  life,  because  we  do 
not  live  and  walk  close  with  Christ ;  but  our  life  is  safe  and  secure 
while  all-conquering  Christ  lives  :  for  it  is  also  in  God  :  God  the 
Failier  chose  us  to  eternal  life  :  God  the  Son  redeemed  us  to  it  : 
God  the  Spirit  bestowed  it  upon  us,  therefore  we  can  never  perish  : 
none  can  pluck  us  out  of  God's  hands  :  we  need  not  fear  any  enemy  : 
"  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  f"  O  believer,  view  your 
safety  and  security.  Your  enemies  must  fust  overcome,  and  take 
away  the  life  of  Christ  and  of  God,  before  they  can  deprive  you  of 
your  life  which  is  hid  in  them.  "  No  weapon  formed  against  thee 
shall  prosper,  and  every  tongue  that  shall  rise  against  thee  in  judg- 
ment thou  shalt  condemn. "....Isa.  liv.  17. 


DECEMBER  29.  367 

iriicn  Christ  who  is  om^  life  shall  appear,    then  shall  ye 
also  appear  with  him  in  glorij....Col.  iii.  4. 

I  HAVE  read  a  book  consisting  of  stones,  said  to  be  told  to  the 
Sultan  of  Arabia,  to  prevent  a  bloody  purpose  of  his  against  his 
Sultaness.  I'he  relator  of  the  talcs  was  her  own  sister.  She  al- 
ways contrived  to  leave  oft'  in  the  midst  of  her  story,  which  he  was 
so  delighted  with  as  to  promise  not  to  destroy  her  sister  till  it  was 
ended  :  thus  by  protracting  the  execution  she  saved  her  sister's  life. 
Methinks  there  is  no  end  to  tiie  history  of  Christ.  Every  fresh 
relation  of  him  delights  the  believing  soul,  and  whets  up  an  inclina- 
tion to  hear  more  of  him  again  and  again  ;  for  he  averted  the  bloody 
execution  of  law  and  justice  against  us  ;  every  fresh  tale  of  him 
strengthens  our  faith  of  salvation  by  him  ;  sets  our  minds  more  and 
more  against  every  evil,  and  excites  us  to  every  good  :  for,  Christ 
is  OUR  LiFK.  O  soul,  Can  you  ever  believe  too  much  of  him,  or 
hope  too  much  in  him  ?  It  is  our  fault,  our  shame,  our  misery,  that 
we  dwell  no  more  on  him  and  converse  no  more  with  him.  Is  Christ 
thy  life,  O  my  soul  ?  What  sort  of  a  life  do  I  live  ?  Jesus,  wash  me 
in  thy  blood.  Lord,  pardon  me  by  thy  grace.  Favour  my  soul  w  ith 
fresh  experience  that  thou  art  my  life  ;  so  be  the  death  of  all  my 
sins  and  the  life  of  all  my  graces.  O  appear,  appear  in  the  power 
of  thy  Spirit  again  and  again  in  mc,  before  thou  shalt  appear  in  thy 
power  and  gloiy  to  me.  Christ  shall  appkar.  What  are  we 
looking  at  ?  Why  stand  we  gazing  on  perishing  objects  ?  What  are 
we  waiting  for  ?  The  Saviour?  He  shall  appear.  Perhaps  the  very 
next  moment,  as  the  Lord  of  life  and  death,  he  may  say  to  his  angel 
death,  go,  bring  that  saved  sinner  to  me,  his  life.  O  joyful  word  1 
Learn  to  welcome  it ;  fuith  will ;  for,  "we  shall  appkar  with 
HIM  IN  GLORY."  How  shall  We  appear  ?  In  what  we  wore  by  faith, 
were  not  ashamed  of,  but  gloried  in  here  :  "  Arrayed  in  fine  linen, 
clean  and  white  :  the  rich  robe  of  Christ's  obedience,  which  is  the 
righteousness  of  saints.".. ..Rev.  xix.  8.  Mind,  this  is  granted  to 
us.  If  it  was  oiu'  own  righteousness,  we  have  a  right  to  appear 
in  it  ;  there  needs  no  grant  of  it :  but  it  is  Christ's  righteousness, 
therefore  a  gift  by  grant  to  us.  O  remember,  it  is  a  sure  and  certain 
thing  we  shall  appear  (all  the  powers  of  hell  cannot  prevent  it) 
with  Christ  in  glory.  Only  belikve,  and  you  will  love  Christ, 
rejoice  to  obey  him,  and  long  for  his  appearing.  O  Jesu,  my  life, 
appear  to  my  soul  this  night  in  all  the  power  of  faith,  the  joy  of 
hope,  the  comfort  of  love,  and  the  fellowship  of  peace. 


36$  DECEMBER  50. 

Old  things  arc  passed  a:caij....2  Cor.  v.  17. 

Such  is  the  blessedness  of  every  new  creature  in  Christ :   every 
believer  in  him  is  a  new  creature.     Mind,  Paul  does  not  say,  old 
things  are  passing  away,  but  are  past  away.     We  are  not  to  under- 
stand him  in  an  absolute,  but  in  a  qualified  sense  :   for  if  none  were 
new  creatures,  till  all  old  things  are  passed  away,  we  should  not  find 
one  on  this  side  heaven.     Now  the  year  is  near  at  an  end.     Do  not 
you  find  your  old   corruptions  cleaving  to  you  ?  Yea,  the  old  man 
still  whole  and  alive  in  you,  just  as  you  did  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year,  or  at  the  beginning  of  days,  when  you  first  believed  on  Jesus 
and  Was  made  a  new  creature  in  him  ?  Do  not  you  also  see  just  the 
same  reason  to  comply  with  these  exhortations,  as  at  first  ?  "  Put 
off  the  old  man  which  is  corrupt.".. .. Eph.  iv.  22.     "Cleanse  your- 
selves from  all  filthinessof  the  flesh  and  spirit.".. ..2  Cor.  vii.  1.    Why, 
if  so,  how  can  it  be  said,  "  Old  things  are  past  away  ?"  Consider, 
Paul  is  not  speaking  of  the  old  creation  of  fallen  nature,  but  of  the 
new  creation  in  Christ  Jesus.     As  men,  and  descendants  from  fal- 
len Adam,  all  the  sin  and  misery  of  ouroldnature  abides  with  us.    We 
are  still  in  the  flesh:   in  that  dwells  nothing  but  sin  and  evil  :  it  is 
under  the  sentence  and  must  receive  the  wages  of  sin,   death.     But 
as  believers  in  Christ,  "we  are  passed  from  death  to  life. "....John 
V.  24.     Being  in  him  by  faith,  we  are  new  creatures  in  a  new  crea- 
tion.    Observe  in  the  foregoing  verse,  Paul  is  speaking  of  knowing^ 
Christ  and  men  after  the  fiesh  ;  but  now,  says  he.  We  have  done 
with  carnal  views  and  fleshly  knowledge  :  ^re  are  spiritual  :   we  view 
and  know  things  by  faith,  as  new  creatures  in  Christ.     Hence  as  we 
are  passed  from  our  old  state,  old   things  are  past  away  from  us  : 
our  old  notions  of  God,  of  Christ,  of  salvation,  our  own  free-will, 
our  legal  righteousness,  salvation  by  works  in  whole  or  in  part.  Sec. 
all  are  past  away.     Yea,  our  delight  in  our  old  companions,  in  the 
betwitching   vanities  of  this  old  world,  which  is  under  the  curse, 
and  our  manner  of  living  and  walking  in  it,  are  passed  away.     Our 
old  way  of  keeping  Christmas  holidays,  and  concluding  the  old  year 
in  card-playing  and  vanity  is  passed  avay  :    and  if,  for  conscience 
sake,  we  do  not  keep  days  by  any  religious  observation  of  them, 
we  do  not  spend  them  in  our  old  way,  by  "  making  provision  for  the 
fltsh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts  thereof."     O,  says  one,  I  would  not  keep 
Christmas  for  the  world:   it  is  superstitious.     Pray  then  do  not  keep 
it  for  the  devil  and  the  flesh  :  '•  If  we  live  in  the  Spirit,  let  us  walk 
in  the  Spirit.".. ..Gal.  v.  25. 

Tli<"  i""!  tlutt's  bornaf^ain  in  Clirist,      With  perfect  righteousness  is  blest, 
1j  qniie  in  a  new  stale,  Old  ihiiigs  are  out  of  date.        M. 


DECEMBER  31.  369 

He  that  endureth  to  the  end  shall  be  saved.... Matt.  x.  22. 

We  are  now  got  to  the  end  of  another  year.     Look  back  with 
humility  :  look  up  with  hope  :   look  forward  with  joy  :  for  consider 
what  great  things  God   hath  done  for  us  :    "  Now  is  our  salvation 
nearer,  than  when  we  (first)  believed. "....Rom.  xiii.  1 1.     Salvation, 
O  the  joyful  sound  !  But,   before   the  sun  of  righteousness  arose 
upon  us   and  displayed  the  glory  of  his  finished   salvation   to  our 
hearts,  alas  !    what  dark,  proud,  ignorant   notions  of  salvation  did 
we  entertain  ?   Instead  of  seeing  righteousness  as  a  gift  by  Jesus 
Christ,  and  justification  of  life  coming  by  free  gift,  and  eternal  life 
the  gift  of  God  through  Jesus  Christ.. ..Rom.  v.  17,  18,  vi.  23. ...we 
vainly  thought  that  salvation  was  to  be  obtained  by  our  fulfilling  cer- 
tain terms  and  conditions.     In  our  natural  state  of  blindness,  before 
we  saw  Jesus,  we  thought  enduring  to  the  end  was  the  condition  of 
being  saved  :  now  we  see  we  are  "  saved  in  the  Lord  with  an  ever- 
lasting salvation. "....Isa.  xlv.  17.     Yet  some,  who  do  not  clearly  see 
the  glory  of  Christ's  salvation,  are  puzzling  themselves  and  others 
with  the  notion  of  a  conditional  salvation.    If  salvation  is  put  upon  our 
conditions,  it  behoves  us  to  consider  what  conditions  we  are  to  per- 
form in  order  to  be  saved.      Every  command  may  be  considered  as  a 
condition.     If  we  multiply  them  by  four  times  forty-five,  we  shall 
come  vastly  short  of  their  number;   and  we  may  be  sure  we  shall 
never  get  to  the  end,  so  as  to  be  saved  by  fulfilling  them.     O,  the 
arrogance  of  bankrupt  sinners,  whose  case  is  quite  desperate,  and 
yet  think  of  standing  upon  terms  and  conditions  with  the  most  high 
God  !   But,  say  some,  though  of  ourselves  we  can  do  nothing,  yet 
God  enables  by  his  grace   to  perform  the  conditions   of  salvation. 
This  is  just  like  a  creditor  demanding  a  large  sum  of  an  insolvent 
debtor,  who  replies,  I  cannot  pay  you.... I  am  not  worth  one  farthing. 
But,  says  the  creditor,  I  will  come  to  terms  with  you :   if  you  will 
pay  me  one  shilling  in  the  pound,  on  that  condition  I  will  forgive  you 
the  whole   debt.     Says  the   pennyless  debtor,  if  you  will  assist  me 
with  the   money,  I   will  fulfil  your  condition.     Strange   compact ! 
If  we  must  have  conditions  of  salvation,  they  are  all  to  be  reduced 
to  this  one,  if  you  will  save  yourselves  to  the  end,  you  shall  be 
saved  in  the  end.     Consider  the   evils  of  this  proud,  unscriplural 
notion,  and   reject  it.     1st.   While   we  arc  taken   up  with   finding 
these  conditions,  striving  to  fulfil  them,  and  looking  for  salvation  by 
them,  we  sadly  overlook  precious  Jesus,  his  blood  and  righteousness, 
and.  awfully  depreciate  and   set   at  nought  his   finished   salvation. 
And,  2d.  We  shall  walk  on  very  unhappily,  and  in  the  end  shall 
be  very   uncomfortable.     What!  if  we   strive  to  fulfil   God's  law  ? 
Vol.  IL  Yy  Ye;, 


370  DECEMBER  3f. 

Yes,  if  we  reject  his  counsel  of  salvation,  by  free  gift  of  free  grace-, 
through  the  one  atonement  and  righteousness  of  his  beloved  Son,  to 
make  way  for  our  terms  and  conditions  of  salvation.  So,  5d.  We 
shall  bring  ourselves  into  bondage.  Says  Paul,  "I  testify  to  every 
man  that  is  circumcised  (does  any  work  as  a  condition  to  be  justified 
and  saved)  that  he  is  a  debtor  to  do  the  whole  law.  Christ  is  become  of 
none  effect  to  him."  As  he  seeks  to  be  justified  by  the  law,  he  is 
fallen  from  grace. ...Gal.  v.  3,  4.  O  brethren  !  beware,  instead  of  en- 
during to  the  end  by  faith,  that  you  do  not  stumble  and  fall  at  the 
very  beginning  through  pride.  But  Ave  begun  the  year,  seeing  Je- 
sus. We  set  out  on  our  race  with  this  free-grace  truth,  "  When 
we  had  nothing  to  pay,  he  frankly  forgave  us  all. "....Luke  vii.  42» 
O  in  this  blessed  sight,  and  with  this  precious  faith,  let  us  endure  to 
the  end.  In,  and  under  all  that  Ave  have  to  endure  from  a  corrupt 
nature,  a  Avicked  world,  and  a  subtle,  malicious  deAil,  nothing  can 
bring  relief  to  our  consciences,  patience  to  our  minds,  hope  to  our 
hearts,  peace  to  our  souls,  and  joy  to  our  spirits,  but  looking  unto 
Jesus.  In  him  we  see  salvation-Avdrk  for  ever  done  for  us.  We 
hear  and  believe  his  cry  from  the  cross,  "It  is  finished."  We 
hear  him  proclaim  from  his  throne  in  glory,  "  It  is  done,"  I  am 
Alpha  and  Omega,  "  the  beginning  and  the  end  of  salvation.".... 
Rev.  xxi.  6.  "  We  are  chosen  in  him  to  salvation."  We  knoAv  this. 
HoAv?  "Through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the 
truth."....2  Thess.  ii.  13.  "Christ,  of  God,  is  made  unto  us  Avis- 
dom,  righteousness,  sanctification  and  redemption."....!  Cor.  i.  30. 
In  the  faith  of  this  Ave  persevere  :  "  By  faith  we  endure  (every  fight 
of  affliction)  seeing  him  who  is  invisible."....Heb.  xi.  27.  We 
"  run  with  patience  the  race  set  before  us."  Hoav  ?  Looking  to 
terms  and  conditions  of  salvation  fulfilled  by  us  ?  O  no!  But  "  look- 
ing to  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith."... .Heb.  xii.  2. 
Consider  that  precious  Avord,  you  Avho  are  ready  to  think  your  faith 
will  notofcold  out  to  the  end  :  the  same  Jesus  Avho  is  the  author  Avill 
be  the  finisher  of  your  faith.  While  legal  hearts  work  for  life  and 
salvation,  it  is  the  glory  of  gospel  faith  to  live  upon  Jesus,  Avho  is 
our  life  and  salvation,  and  to  enjoy  life  and  salvation  in  Christ  eve- 
ry step  Ave  take  in  the  Avay  to  endless  life  and  glory  :  therefore,  in 
spite  of  all  the  deccitfulncss  of  sin  and  the  art  and  malice  of  satan, 
Ave  shall  "  receive  the  end  of  our  faith,  the  salvation  of  our  souls." 
....  1  Pet.  i.  9. 

I.ook  up  fc^r  ptrrseverin?^  grace  Fear  to  turn  back,  or  slight  the  ways 
'I'o  Ji'Mis  sour  best  friend.  Of  truth  and  holiness  : 

And  h.  pe  to  see  his  smiling  face,  For  Jesn':^  lavish  of  his  grace, 
i'widuiii.g  to  tlic  end.  And  will  with  glory  bless-         M. 


FEBRUARY  29.  sn 

ADDITIONAL  MEDITATION  FOR  LEAP-YEAR. 

Out  of  seaso7i....2  Tim  iv.  2. 

I  have  often  thought,  as  passhig  by  the  great  number  of  chur- 
ches in  London,  what  manner  of  stones  and  what  buiUlings  are 
here  !  What  noble  cages  are  these  1  But  what  pitiful  birds  occupy, 
them  !  They  scarce  ever  sing  in  them  above  once  a  week;  and  then 
it  is  a  strange,  wild  note,  not  the  joyful  song  of  salvation  by  the 
blood  and  righteousness  of  the  Son  of  God :  they  do  not  follow 
Paul's  solemn  advice,  "  I  charge  thee  before  God  and  the  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ,  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and  dead  at  his  appearing, 
and  his  kingdom  :  preach  the  word,  be  instant  in  season,  out  of 
SEASON."  If  Christ's  ministers  are  thus  charged  to  preach  out  of 
season,  this  charge  is  equally  binding  upon  all  his  disciples  to  hear 
out  of  season  also.  Consider  some  reasons  for  this.  1st.  By  the 
preaching  of  the  word  faith  grows  and  is  strengthened.  This  truth 
ever  remains,  and  will  be  made  good  in  experience,  "Faith  cometh' 
by  hearing.".. ..Rom.  X.  17.  2d.  If  faith  cometh,  then  Christ,  with 
peace,  love,  joy,  holiness  and  heaven,  cometh  to  the  heart.  O  then 
if  so,  need  there  be  any  other  reason  added  for  constant  hearing? 
3d.  The  devil  cometh  out  of  season.  You  are  never  totally  free  from 
his  force,  fraud  and  subtlety.  How  can  you  withstand  him  ?  Only 
by  resisting  him  stedfastly  in  the  faith....  1  Pet.  v.  9.  How  will  you 
overconie  him  ?  "  Only  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  the  word  of 
his  testimony. "....Rev.  xii.  II.  By  constant  hearing  of  the  word  we 
get  instructions  in  satan's  art  and  devices,  encouragement  by  our 
Lord's  victory  over  him,  and  also  have  our  faith  strengthened  to  re- 
sist and  overcome  him.  4th.  Trials  and  afflictions  come  every  day. 
How  are  we  to  get  support  and  patience  under  them,  comfort  in 
them,  sanctification  by  them,  and  a  prospect  of  being  delivered  from 
them  ?  From  the  ministry  of  the  word.  Mind  what  is  said  of  dis- 
ciples of  old  :  "  Ye  received  the  word  in  much  affliction,  with  joy 
in  the  Holy  Ghost."....  1  Thess.  i.  6.  More  than  twenty  years  ago, 
with  great  distress  of  soul  and  much  weakness  of  body,  I  have  of- 
ten walked  near  three  miles  to  hear  the  word  :  my  legs  have  drag- 
ged on  heavily  :  I  have  been  ready  to  say.  You  have  often  carried  me 
to  the  play-house,  and  now  ye  must  carry  me  to  the  Lord's  house. 
For,  5th.  Blessed  be  our  Lord,  by  the  preaching  of  the  word,  our 
doubts  are  resolved.. ..our  fears  scattered.. ..our  hopes  revived.. ..the 
prospect  of  the  heavenly  world  brightened. ...more  clear  evidence  of 
interest  in  it,  and  assurance  of  enjoying  of  it  obtained.  The  word 
has  a  native  tendency  to  promote  all  this  ;  and  by  the  grace  of  the 
Spirit,  souls  who  constantly  attend  on  it,  will  be  sure  to  find  the 
sweet  experience  of  all  this. 


AN   INDEX 

FOR    THE 

TEXTS  OF  SCRIPTURE  TREATED  OF. 


Chap 

.  Verse 

GENESIS 

Page 

5 

3 

196 

16 

13 

60 

18 

14 

296 

18 

33 

SI 

sr 

19 

253 

39 

9 

348 

40 

7 

162 

42 

8 

113 

43 

SO 

245 

46 

50 

300 

45 

28 

EXODUS. 

313 

8 

23 

115 

12 

3 

120 

14 

13 

190 

\7 

7 

235 

20 

25 

307 

S3 

11 

345 

34 

30 

83 

DEUTERONOMY. 

33 

27 

JOSHUA. 

354 

25 

14 
JUDGES. 

259 

7 

2 

301 

10 

14 

105 

16 
1 

20 

SAMUEL. 

274 

17 

33 

193 

20 

4 

294 

30 

39 

229 

26 

21 

275 

27 

1 

117 

28 

15 

208 

2 

SAMUEL. 

9 

8 

79 

14 

32 

329 

15 

26 

1  KINGS. 

226 

10 

2 

12 

19 

4 

2  KINGS. 

291 

7 

2 

42 

Chap.  Verse      Page 

2  CHRONICLES. 

20  20  118 
25     9     317 

25  16     318 

25  19     319 

32  31     112 

NEHEMIAH. 

6  11  165 
8  10     184 

JOB. 

1  21  515 
19  23  251 
56  52  261 

50  23  237 

PSALMS. 

2  12  201 

7  8  325 
25  8  323 
25  11  103 

25  14  172 

26  3      82 

31  18  198 

32  2  5 
34  2  281 

37  39  299 

38  4  283 
41  4  154 
48  14      30 

51  7  182 

51  8      81 

52  7  358 

55  16  152 

56  3  72 
60  3  50 
63  4  343 
63  8  311 
72  17  187 
77  7  16 
77  8  25 
87  7  357 
97  11  155 

104  34  107 

106  4     65 

113  3  147 


Chap.  Verse 
il6     9 

116  11 

119  28 

119  55 

119  81 
125     3 

136  23 

PROVERBS 

3  9 

4  7 

4  23 
14  12 
28  26 

SONG. 

2  16 

3  3 

8  5 

ISAIAH. 

1  18 

2  22 

5  23 

9  6 
27  13 
35  4 

40  1 

41  17 

42  1 

42  21 

43  25 

43  26 

44  22 

45  8 
49  15 

51  22 

52  7 

53  5 

54  5 
54  5 

54  6 

55  1 

55  3 

56  2 

57  1 
61  10 


Page 

177 
241 
108 
210 
279 
62 
16 

142 
200 
355 
156 
102 

351 
176 

194 


7 
45 

244 
356 

23 

49 
328 

67 
336 
339 

19 
171 
346 
227 

95 
122 
170 
321 
232 
148 

94 
246 
164 
191 


INDEX. 


373 


Chap. 

Verse 

Pa^e 

Chap. 

Verse 

65 

1 

236 

9 

50 

66 

2 

5 

13 

37 

J 

EREMIAH. 

LUKE. 

3 

22 

89 

7 

35 

3 

22 

90 

8 

15 

4 

2 

5 

8 

21 

4. 

2 

22 

10 

30 

20 

7 

51 

10 

42 

23 

29 

275 

12 

15 

52 

40 

17 

13 

23 

LAMENTATIONS. 

17 

5 

3 

40 

28 

17 

10 

3 

31 

167 

18 

1 

DANIEL. 

18 

6 

3 

14 

111 

18 

13 

HOSEA. 

21 

60 

2 

6 

135 

22 

35 

2 

16 

99 

23 

42 

2 

23 

86 

24 

17 

13 

13 

183 

24 

38 

14 

8 

272 

24 

39 

JOEL. 

24 

44 

3 

10 

258 

JOHN. 

MICAH. 

1 

12 

7 

7 

309 

1 

39 

ZEPHANIAH. 

3 

6 

3 

17 

57 

3 

33 

3 

17 

58 

4 

23 

ZECHARIAH 

. 

6 

27 

3 

8 

161 

6 

53 

MALACHI. 

6 

66 

3 

6 

220 

6 

57 

3 

U 

350 

6 

69 

MATTHEW 

S 

6 

1 

23 

'357 

« 

47 

6 

11 

262 

11 

26 

6 

31 

352 

11 

52 

10 

8 

327 

12 

41 

10 

22 

363 

13 

10 

10 

30 

18 

13 

37 

10 

40 

314 

14 

2 

11 

12 

13 

14 

3 

12 

37 

146 

16 

8 

13 

55 

20 

20 

15 

15 

27 

254 

20 

20 

16 

24 

35J 

21 

17 

18 

20 

54 

ACTS. 

20 

28 

298 

2 

10 

27 

35 

234 

3 

15 

MARK. 

3 

19 

4 

11 

349 

9 

11 

5 

36 

71 

Page!' 

43 
332 


302 

157 

11 

3cS 

293 

299 

312 

247 

84 

46 

251 

150 

249 

173 

8 

265 

228 

248 

242 

284 
326 
225 
314 

80 

68 
145 
143 
342 
308 

96 
110 

75 

59 
256 

35 
238 
139 
140 

34 
233 
268 
211 

199 
168 
335 

292 


hap. 

Verse 

Page 

ROMANS. 

16 

181 

17 

160 

18 

27 

4 

92 

2  4 

29 

15 

340 

16 

212 

14 

295 

9 

203 

11 

289 

19 

101 

19 

252 

15 

286 

9 

333 

18 

269 

8 

9 

10 

8 

10 

270 

8 

15 

344 

8 

31 

135 

9 

20 

347 

14 

17 

310 

1  CORINTHIANS. 

3 

22 

305 

4 

20 

73 

10 

12 

77 

13 

13 

47 

13 

13 

43 

13 

13 

63 

15 

6 

134 

15 

10 

144 

15 

19 

26 

15 

31 

141 

15 

34 

114 

15 

55 

24 

15 

58 

276 

2  CORINTHIANS. 

1 

22 

6 

3 

18 

219 

4 

8 

271 

4 

13 

15 

5 

7 

260 

5 

17 

362 

5 

15 

64 

6 

7 

202 

7 

1 

75 

7 

1 

74 

7 

10 

32 

12 

7- 

266 

12 

9 

240 

12 

10 

267 

13 

5 

69 

574 

INDEX. 

Chap.  Verse 

GALATIANS 

Page 

Chap. 

2 

Verse 
12 

Page  Chap. 
280  1  li 

Verse 
30 

Page 

330 

1 

16 

358 

2 

ir 

195 

12 

12 

255 

3 

28 

359 

3 

3 

360 

13 

5 

334 

4 

6 

218 

3 

4 

361 

13 

9 

322 

4 

7 

216 

3 

17 

106 

JAMES. 

4 

7 

217 

1  THESSALONIANS. 

4 

14 

55 

5 

i 

290 

5 

9 

188 

1  PETER. 

5 

4 

100 

1 

TIMOTHY 

. 

1 

5 

285 

5 

11 

163 

1 

15 

197 

3 

21 

209 

5 

25 

85 

2 

5 

189 

4 

16 

121 

6 

4 

320 

4 

6 

337 

5 

4 

324 

EPHESIANS 

6 

8 

175 

5 

9 

44 

1 

13 

4 

6 

10 

174 

2  PETER 

2 

13 

151 

6 

12 

223 

1 

1 

153 

2 

45 

282 

2 

TIMOTHY 

. 

1 

5 

303 

■i 

4 

130 

2 

1 

222 

1 

9 

304 

4 

4 

131 

3 

5 

224 

1 

10 

264 

4 

5 

132 

3 

15 

66 

1 

10 

185 

4 

15 

70 

4 

2  Leap-year 

1 

10 

186 

4 

20 

207 

4 

22 

230 

1 

11 

305 

4 

22 

257 

TITUS. 

1 

17 

331 

4 

30 

7 

2 

i 

33 

3 

1 

178 

5 

8 

53 

2 

10 

36 

1  JOHN. 

6 

13 

123 

2 

11 

40 

1 

7 

88 

6 

14 

124 

2 

12 

41 

1 

7 

263 

6 

15 

125 

3 

5 

205 

2 

15 

37 

6 

16 

126 

HEBREWS. 

2 

20 

243 

6 

17 

137 

2 

9 

3 

3 

6 

21 

6 

17 

128 

4 

15 

273 

3 

21 

76 

6 

18 

129 

5 

13 

192 

3 

23 

206 

I'HILIPPIANS. 

5 

14 

119 

3 

24 

52 

1 

9 

116 

6 

9 

2 

4 

2 

9 

I 

11 

61 

6 

17 

221 

4 

18 

98 

3 

9 

137 

10 

14 

179 

JUDE. 

3 

17 

282 

10 

14 

180 

3 

231 

3 

17 

289 

10 

26-27 

341 

4 

91 

4 

3 

214 

10 

38 

133 

20 

138 

4 

18 

109 

10 

39 

156 

REVELATIONS. 

COLOSSIANS 

. 

11 

13 

149 

1 

5 

158 

1 

19 

57 

11 

13 

335 

1 

6 

159 

I 

18 

204 

11 

27 

93 

2 

10 

104 

2 

6 

169 

11 

27 

213 

5 

12 

239 

2 

10 

215 

SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


STATE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


CITY    OF    NEW-YORK. 

Abeel,    Rev.  John  N. 
Ackerman,  Jamima 
Addoms,   Jonas 
Agrigg,   Benjamin 
Akerly,   Mrs. 
Allen,   William 
Amerman,  Peter 
Amerman,  Dirck 
Anthony,  Nicholas  N. 
Anderson,  James 
Anderson,  William 
Arden,  Francis 
Arden,   Thomas  S. 
Astor,  Heniy 
Ashley,  William 
Asler,  Henry 
Bard,  William,  Esq. 
Baldwin,  Jesse 
Bailey,  James 
Barrea,  Sarah 
Banker,  John  K. 
Baiven,  John 
Battle,  Joseph 
Baitlett,  Joseph 
Bancker,  Anna 
Beekman,  John 
Bonnet,  Peterj 
Bethune,  Divie 
Bedient  John 
Beach,  Rev.  Abraham 
Bingham,  John 
Bininger,   Abraham 
Bleeckcr,  Leonard,  Esq. 
Bleecker,  Garret  N. 
Eleecker,  James 
Blake,   Robert 
Blakely,  Davis 
Bloodgood,  Abraham 
Blackslidge,  Cornelius 
Blauvelt,  Harman 
Bruen,  Matthias 
Erower,  Abraham 
Bowering,  Caleb 
Friiickerhoff,  Abraham 
Burger,  Mary 


Brower,  Dr.  Anthony 
Brower,  Elizabeth 
Boyd,  Samuel,  Esq. 
Boal,  William 
Bowen,  John 
Bogart,  David 
Boggs,  James  C. 
Broom,  John,  Esq. 
Brooks,  Michael 
Brinckerhoff,  Rachel 
Butterworth,  Mrs. 
Brasher,  Ephraim 
Brower,  Mary 
Burnside,  Thomas 
Bunn,  John 
Brinckerhoff,  Phelic 
Brown,  John 
Bran,  William 
Brinckerhoff,  Seba 
Butterworth,  Henry 
Clark,  Ebenezer 
Concklin,  James 
Campbell,  Alexander 
Currie,  Archibald 
Cammann,  Charles  L. 
Caldwell,  John 
Clarkson,  Gen.  M. 
Carmer,  Sarah 
Carpender,  Thomas 
Child,  Abraham 
Coit,  Levi 
Cochran,  Philip 
Courtlandt,  Stephen  V. 
Christie,  Mary 
Collier,   Rev.  William 
Curtis,  Hannah 
Couenhovcn,  Henry 
Coxe,  Nicholas 
Crolius,  John,  jun. 
Cross,  Joseph 
Chalk,  James 
Cook,  Michael 
Choate,  Joseph 
Childs,  Francis 
Crolius,  Clarkson,  jiui. 
Creaig,  James 


376 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


Couvin,  (icorgc 
Cobcrt,  John 
Crcighton,   Elizabeth 
Carnier,   Altie 
Culbertson,  Catharine 
Cunningham,   Richard 
Curtis,   Mrs. 
Campbell,  Thomas  I. 
Cox,  Jameson 
Chalk,  Richard 
Duryee,  Jane 
Duryee,  Elizabeth 
Duryee,  Richard 
Duffie,  James 
Degroodt,  Samuel 
Durham,  Andrew 
Demarest,  Thomas 
Drake,  Oliver 
Duryee,  Charles 
Dey,  Anthony,  Esq. 
Depeyster,  John 
Depeyster,  James  W. 
Depeyster,  Anna 
Dickenson,  Charles 
Doughty,  Samuel 
Delemater,  Samuel 
Davenport,  John  A. 

Deforest,  Isaac 

Deforest,  John 

Deforest,  Lawrence  V. 

Deforest,  Abraham 

Dodge,  Samuel 

Downie,  James 

Disbrow,  Jolm 

Deremcr,  John 

Dominick,  George 

Drummond,  Duncan 

Demarest,  Joseph 

Degrushe,  Robert 

Duggan,  Thomas 

Duryee,  John  T. 

Dickson,  John 

Day,  John 

Elmendorf,  Edmund,  Esq. 

Earle,  Thomas 

Kvertson,  N.   Esq. 

Elting,  Peter 

Edwards,  John 

Elting  Peter,  jun. 

Elting,  James 

Elmendorf,  Peter  Z. 

Elting,  Edward 

Earle,  Joseph 

Egbert,  Benjamin 


Forbes,  William  G. 
Few,  Mrs. 
Forsyth,  John 
Fradgley,  Thomas 
Foster,  Andrew 
Funck,  John 
Falk,  Thomas 
Frazer,  Christian 
Ferdon,  John 
Fenwick,  Thomas 
Ferguson,  John 
Frelinghuysen,  Louisa 
Furman,  Job 
Frear,   William 
Faulkner,  Peter 
Gilbert,  Garret 
Gilchrist,  Robert 
Green,  Hannah 
Giraud,  Jacob  P. 
Gibson,  D.  S. 
Gunton,  Joseph 
Graham,  Isaac 
Gibson,  James 
Gosman,  George 
Gray,  William 
Gardner,  Michael 
Gosman,  Robert 
Graham,  Mrs.  R. 
Galatian,  William  W. 
Gillespie,  Mrs. 
Ciallow,  Christopher 
Hardy,  Joseph 
Hosack,  Dr.  David 
Heyer,  Cornelius 
Heyer,  Isaac 
Hawes,  Peter 
Hatfield,  Isaac 
Ilaviland,  Mrs. 
Heyer,  Walter  W. 
Haviland,  Jerusha 
Hollowell,  Samuel 
Hyer,  Garret 
Hoogland,  Abraham 
Holdron,  John 
Heustis,  Daniel 
Harvey,  Thomas 
Hayden,  Jared 
Hayden,  Ebenezcr 
Hillman,  Henry 
Hall,  Daniel 
Holden,  Asa 
Hobdey,  George 
Hubbard,  John 
Ham,  Wandlc 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


377 


Inglesby,  John 

Jones,  John 

Jacobus,  Harriot 

Jackson,  Archibald 

Jones,  Dr.  G. 

Janeway,  George 

Johnson,  John 

Jackson,  Henry 

Jelverton,  Andrew 

Johnson,  Jacob 

Jandon,  Daniel 

Jackson,  David 

Kip,  James  H. 

Kip,  Isaac  L.  Esq. 

Kip,  Leonard 

Kendrick,  Walter 

Kuypers,  Rev.  Gerardus  A. 

King,  William 

King,  Robert 

Knapp,  Benjamin  S. 

Kettletas,  Clarissa 

Kelly,  Robert 

King,  David 

Knox,  John 

Keen,  Joseph 

Livingston,  Rev.  John  H.  D.D. 

Lawrence,  H.  A. 

Lawrence,  Catharine 

Lefferts,  Leffert 

Lindsay,  George 

Leacraft,  William 

Lounds,  Thomas 

Linn,  Rev.  William  D.  D. 

Low,  Mrs. 

Leroy,  Mrs. 

Laing,  John 

Lyde,  Edward 

Lyde,  Edward,  jun. 

Latham,  Henry 

Labagh,  John  J. 

Lansdown,  Edward 

Livingston,  Henry  Alexander 

M'Comb,  Alexander 

Mills,  John 

M'Leod,  Roderick 

M'Clung,  Anthony 

Murray,  John 

Manley,  John 

Mumford,  Gurdon  S. 

Margarum,  James  T. 

Mertow,  Jacob,  Esq. 

Maxwell,  William 

Miller,  Rev.  Samuel 

M'Leod,  Margery 

Vol.  U.  Z 


Mercer,  Peter  S. 

Merriot,  Ebenezer 

Marsh,  John  F. 

Mercer,  Mary 

Moor,  Lawrence 

Morrell,  Andrew 

Marsh,  Mrs. 

M'Kinley,  Mrs. 

Manley,  Robert 

Moor,  Abraham 

M'Clure,  James 

Mitchell,  John 

Myer,  Cornelius 

Minthorn,  Philip 

M'Kinlay,  Mary 

M'Faull,  John 

Manning,  James 

Martling,  Abraham  S. 

Mackaness,  Thomas  T. 

M'Gill,  Robert 

Miller,  John 

Morris,  John 

Morris,  Mrs. 

Mersereau,  Catharine 

Mann,  David 

Marsh,  David  s 

Miller,  ^^'alter 

Mather,  Andrew 

M'Crea,  Mary 

Mills,  Joshua 

Miller,  William 

Murray,  John  jun. 

Miller,  Mrs. 
Maden,  Thomas  D. 
Nixon,  Sanriuel 
Noe,  Lemountis 
Nesbit,  Samuel,  jun. 
Neil,  Sally 
Norman,  Josiah 
Nevious,  Garret 
Neilson,  William,  jun. 
Nexsen,  Elias 
Norman,  John 
Nicholas,  Abigail 
Napton,  William 
Oothout,  John,  Esq. 
Osgood,  Samuel 
Onderdonk,  Andrew 
Ovington,  William 
Proudfoot,  Lawrence 
Post,  John  I. 
Pryer,  Thomas 
Peters,  John 


578 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


Pryer,  Capt. 
Probyn,  Edward 
Page,  Benjamin 
Post,  Anthony,  Esq. 
Prince,  Robert 
Powels,  Martin 
Pilgrim,  Nathaniel 
Percelin,  Jacobus 
Park,  John 
Powels,  Cornelius 
Post,  John 
Piatt,  Mary 
Pransly,  John 
Quay,  John 
Ray,  Cornelius,  Esq. 
Ridgeway,  Robert 
Remscn,  Henry,  Esq. 
Rich,  T.  L. 
Rogers,  Moses,  Esq. 
Roberts,  Robert 
Rich,  Thomas 
Rogers,  Dr.  John  R.  B. 
Rose,  Alexander 
Roose\elt,  Sarah 
Rankin,  Robert 
Reed,  Stephen 
Roome,  Henry 
Rodgers,  Henry 
Rich,  Jacob 
Roome,  Nicholas 
Rich,  Stephen 
Riker,  Matthias 
Riker,  Gerardus 
Randall,  Thomas 
Rider,  Abraham 
Rollinson,  William 
Reynolds,  Abraham 
Reynolds,  James 
Rankin,  Henry 
Richardson,  Thomas 
Rudd,  Samuel 
Rose,  John 
Robertson,  Peter 
Riley,  Mrs.  A. 
Rutgers,  Henry,  Esq. 
Rodgers,  Rev.  John  D.  U. 
Roosevelt,  James 
Robertson,  Alexander 
Ramsay,  Mongo 
Salter,  Thomas 
Scott,  James,  Esq.. 
Sprainger,  Peter 
Sebring,  Isaac 
Slidell,  John,  jun. 


Steenback,  Anthony 
Stryker,  Dennis 
Smith,  James  R. 
Swords,  T.  &:  J. 
Sickels,  Garrit 
Stagel,  William 
Smith,  Stephen 
Stagg,  Peter 
Shephard,  Mrs. 
Stoutenburgh,  John 
Smith,  Alexander 
Salisbury,  John 
Stevens,  Ebenezer 
Smilie,  Eleanor 
Smith,  Joseph 
Simmons,  William 
Stryker,  John 
Stagg,  John,  jun.  Esq. 
Spencer,  William 
Sacket,  Elisha 
Steddiford,  Gerard 
Shaw,  James 
Sickels,  John  H. 
Stoddard,  Robert 
Scrim gcour,  Rev.  Mr. 
Sands,  Comfort 
Smith,  Daniel 
Stephens,  John 
Sackett,  S.  &  N. 
Suckley,  George 
St\iyvesant,  Peter  G.  Esq. 
Stoutenburgh,  Elizabeth 
Suydam,  Peter 
Snow,  Susannah 
Smith,  John 
Trucket,  Mrs. 
Todd,  William  W. 
Tenbrook,  Henry 
Turk,  Ahashuerus 
Thorburn,  Grant 
Taylor,  John 
Thompson,  Robert 
Townsend,  Mary 
Thorburn,  James 
Teller,  James 
Tucker,  Elizabeth 
Thornton,  John 
Tenl>rook,  John 
Thomson,  Joseph 
T  hompson,  Archibald 
Talmage,  Daniel 
Ten  Eyck,  Thomas 
Telfair,  Adam 
Torrester,  Archibald 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


379 


Terheun,  Richard 
Tallman,  Jacob 
Townley,  Mary 
Taylor,  Jeremiah 
Tuck,  Samuel 
Torboss,  Isaac 
Van  Courtlandt,  Mrs.  C.  S. 
Varick,  Abraham 
Vandcrbilt,  John 
Van  Kleeck,  John 
Van  Courtlancit,  i-]lizabeth 
\"aii.soIingcn,  Dr.  Henry  M. 
Van  Wyck,  Janies 
Van  Antwerp,  James 
Van  Wagenen,  Garret  IT. 
Van  Antwerp,  Jacob  N. 
\''arick,  Richard,  Esq. 
Van  Ncsttr,  George  J. 
Voorhies,  Paul 
\'an  Kleef,  Hannah 
Van  Zandt,  Peter 
Van  Winkle,  Sarah 
Van  Zandt,  Peter  P. 
Van  Ordcn,  John 
Van  Nf-ss,  Abraham 
Van  Gelder,  Abraham 
Van  Mossel,  William 
W-rmilye,  William 
X'ervelen,  Jacobus 
Wyckoff,  Cornelius  P. 
Wendover,  Peter  II.  Esq^ 
Wilkinson,  Richard 
Wilson,  William 
Wali^rove,  Garrit 
Waterman,  J. 
W  cstervelt,  John  I. 
Werth,  John  I. 
Wright,  Jacob 
Whitlock,  Thomas  B. 
Wayland,  Francis 
Wynkoop,  Cornelius 
Weeks,  Stephen 
Within gton,  John 
Willson,  Dr.  Peter 
Willis,  John 
Williams,  Rev.  John 
Wright,  Archibald 
Wright,  William 
Williams,  John  W. 
Watson,  John 
Woods,  Elizabeth 
Williams,  Daniel 
Williamson,  Hester 
Wright,  John 


Westervelt,  Daniel 
Wheeler,  Solomon 
Wendell,  Rebecca 
Willis,  Caleb 
Wade,  John 
Young,  James 

ALBANY. 

Atwill,  Thomas  H. 
Bassett,  Rev.  John 
Bloodgood,  EHza 
Burton,  John 
Bassett,  N.  B. 
Bleccker,  James 
Blakeley,  David 
Boardman,  John 
Bogert,  Margaret 
Bogert,  Hannah 
Bogert,  John  I. 
Beekman,  Peter 
Brown,  Eleanor 
Chinn,  Margaret 
Eights,  Abraham 
Gates,  John 
Hansen,  Isaac 
Ilutton,  Isaac 
Hunt,  Davis 
Hooker,  William 
Hewson,  Daniel 
Hoghkerk,  Margaret 
Hunt,  Abijah 
Hoffman,  Andrew 
Hunn,  Abraham,  Esq. 
Huar,  Cornelius 
Lottridge,  Ann 
Lansingh,  Abraham  A. 
Lansing,  Henry  R. 
Lucas,  Isaac 
Livingston,  Margaret 
Lester,  Mordecai 
Latimore,  Thomas 
Miller,  Christian 
Motson,  Margaret 
Maley,  John 
Melich,  David 
Newland,  David 
Preyn,  Alida 
Quackenboss,  John  P- 
Seaman,  Caty 
Ten  Eyck,  Anthony,  Esq. 
Tilman,  Dirck 
Van  Everen,  Maria 
Waring,  Richard 
Willett,  Elbert 
Westerlo,  Catharine 


380 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


Yates,  John  V.  N.  Esq. 

SCHODAC. 

Beekman,  Martin 
Ballantine,  Ebenezer 
Chesley  David 
Carpenter,  Walter,  Esq. 
INTiller.  John  I. 
Michael,  Hendrick  H. 
Mesick,  Jacob 
Roorbach,  John 
Schermerhorn.  Jacob  C. 
Schermerhorn,  Ryer  L. 
ScUermerhorn,  Cornelius 
Van  Dyck,  Arent 

KOTTINGHABI. 

Appleton,  Josiah 
Appleton,  Thomas 
Cubberley,  David 
Croxon,  William 
Disbrow,  Joseph,  Esq. 
Foord,  William 
Hutchinson,  Amos,  jun. 
Hill,  Smith 
Quingley,  Moses 
W^yckoff,  Jacob 

NEWEURGH. 

Amerman,  Derick 
Belknap,  Isaac,  jun. 
Brown,  John 
Graham,  William 
Kerr,  Robert 
Moore,  Charles 
M'Aulay,  John 
Milliken,  Nathaniel 
IMillspaugh,  Moses 
Niven,  D. 
Robinson,  Richard 
Sleight,  Eliza 
Speir,  Hugh 
Shaw,  John 
Smedes,  Jacob 
Walsh,  Hugh 
Walsh,  Jane 
Waugh,  James 

NEW-WINDSOR. 

Boyd,  Robert,  Esq. 
Boyd,  Agnes 
Hutchinson,  Isaac 
Mackaness,  Thomas,  Esq. 

GLOSTF.R. 

Bogert,  Samuel 
Bleakley,  Andrew 

NKW-I5RIDGE. 

Christie,  Peter 


FISH-KILL. 

Delbitt,  Johannes 

SCHAGTICOKE. 

Fort,  John  J. 
Knickerbacken,  Hendrick 

JOHNSTOWN. 

Lansing,  Maria 

STATEN-ISLAND. 

Garritson,  Hendrick 
Garritson,  Harmanus 
Huughwout,  Nicholas 
Frail,  Abraham 
Van  Pelt,  Rev.  Peter  T. 
Vreeland,  Eder 

CHARLSTON. 

Wyckoff,  Rev.  Henry  V. 

ROCHESTER. 

Westervelt,  Ralph  A. 

EAST-WINDSOR. 

Wilson,  Robert,  Esq. 

KINDERHOOK. 

Schermerhorn,  John  W. 
Schermerhorn,  Cornelius  D. 
Van  Alstine,  Philip 
Van  Alstine,  Abraham  P. 

ROCKLAND-COUNTY. 

Tallman,  John 
Tallman,  Teunis 
Tallman,  Abraham 

BETHLEHEM, 

Rook,  Christian 

BROOKLYN. 

Kirk,  Thomas 

BUSHWICK. 

Collyer,  Peter 
Eadimore,  James 
Schenck,  Peter  T. 

JAMAICA. 

Faitout,  George,  Rev. 
Lambertson,  David 
Rhodes,  Abiathar 
Schoonmaker,  Rev.  Jacob 

FLATBUSH. 

Antonides,  John 
Lowe,  Rev.  Peter 
Lefferts,  John 
O'Blenis,  Albert 
Schenck,  Tunis,  jun. 
Schoonmaker,  Michael 
Van  Buren,  Dr.  William 

NEWTOWN. 

Leverich,  William 

SACKESONEY. 

Lawrence,  Silvanus 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


381 


NARROWS. 

Barkalovv,  Rev.  George 
Bcnnct,  Herman 
Bennct,  William 
Duryee,  Abraham 

FLAT-LANDS. 

Hegeman,  Rem 
Hubbard,  Elias 

GRAVESEND. 

Stryker,  Samuel 


BEDFORD. 

De  Bevoise,  Abraham 
Remsen,  Jeremiah 
Suydam,  Henry 

FOSTER'S    MEADOW. 

Antonides,  Peter 

WALLABOCHT. 

Vanderbilt,  Jeremiah 

NEW-UTRECHT. 

Hegeman,  Thomas 


STATE  OF  NEW-JERSEY. 


BERGEN. 

C.!ornelison,  Rev.  John 
Collerd,  John 
Demot,  Michael 
Garrcbrance,  Cornelius 
Outwater,  Jacob 
Prior,  Jacob 
Sickles,  Peter 
Sip,  Peter 
Traphagen,  Henry 
Van  Wagenen,  Jacob 
Vreelandt,  John  G. 
Vreeland,  Stephen 
Winne,  Martin 

SCRALENBERG. 

Fraeligh,  Rev.  Solomon 
Hardenbcrgh,  Charles 
Naugle,  Garrit 
Overbagh,  Peter  A. 

NEWARK. 

Abramse,  Jacob 
Boudinot,  Catharine 
Griffin,  Rev.  Edward 
Mercer,  Maria 

ELrZABETH-TOWN. 

De  Camp,  Dr.  Gideon 
De  Hart,  Uriah 
Thomas,  Mary 
Thomas,  Elizabeth 
Williamson,  Dr.  Matthias  H. 

SPRINGFIELD. 

Bonnel,  Ithamar 
Bryant,  Simeon 
Coe,  Hester 
Denman,  Matthias 
Halsey,  Joseph,  sen. 
Lyon,  Daniel 
Parkhurst,  Samuel 
Parsell,  William 
Ross,  Daniel 
Salley,  Elizabeth 
Tayler,  Samuel,  Esq. 


Wooley,  Abraham,  Esq. 
Willis,  Jacob 
Wade,  Uzal 

CONNECTICUT-FARMS. 

Hilliar,  Phoebe 
Lyon,  Henry 
Thompsoii,  Stephen 
Wade,  Robert,  Esq. 

K  AH  WAY. 

Clarkson,  Abel 

NEW-BRUNSWICK. 

Ayres,  Hannah 
Bayard,  John,  Esq. 
Brown,  Isaac  V. 
Croes,  Rev.  John 
Crommeline,  Julia  Ann 
Caldwell,  Maria 
Dennis,  Susan 
Deare,  Frances 
Eastburn,  Abigail 
Grant,  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Guest,  Moses 
Johnston,  Martha  Ann 
Johnston,  Eliza  M. 
Kirkpatrick,  Jane 
Keaves,  Alley 
Lawson,  William 
Lindsay,  Benjamin 
Neilson,  John,  Esq. 
Patterson,  W^illiam,  Esq. 
Ryder,  Andrew 
Scott,  Dr.  Moses 
Scott,  Hannah 
Schureman,  James,  Esq. 
Schuyler,  Abraham,  Esq. 
Swift,  James 
Shardlow,  William 
Van  Deursen,  Staats 
Voorhees,  Jacob 
Voorhees,  David 
Voorhees,  Martha 
Wyckoff,  Peter 


582 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES. 


SIX-MILE   RUN. 

Snydam,  Jacob 
Voorhies,  Jacob 

MILLSTONE. 

Frclinghuvsen,  Frederick,  Esq. 
Strykcr,  P.  T.   M.  D. 

SOMERSET. 

Auten,  Thomas 
Blair,  Robert 
Cornell,  Barciit 
Talmage,  Goyn 
Talmage,  Thomas 
VandoeiTi,  Berguii 
WyckolT,  Peter 
Whitehead,  Daniel 

RARITAN. 

Brokaw.  John 
Beekman,  Cornelius 
Dumont,  Peter 
Elmondorf,  John 
(ieorge,  Lucas 
Hughes,  James 
Middlesvvorlh,  John  N. 
Veghte,  Rynier 
Simonson,  Jolui 
Simonsun,  Cornelius 
Van  Dorn,  Ellen 

KNOWLTON. 

Bebont,  J,ohn 

Linn,  John 

M'  Farran,  William 

PRINCFTON. 

Agnew,  Daniel,  Esq. 
Anderson,  Isaac 
Ferguson,  JShny  G. 
Gaw,  Hetty 
Gardinier,  Hendrick 
Gardineau,  Ann 
Hamilton,  James 
Hunt,  Richard 
Johnson,  Thomas  P.  Esq. 
Kelsey,  Eliza 
I^ittle,  Grace 
Lovebury,  John 
Martin,  Sarah 
Minto,  Mary 
Moore,  Capt.  James 
Morford,  Stephen 
NeiU,  William 
Norris,  Susan  W. 
Smith,  Elizabeth  F. 
Smith,  Ann 
Stellc,  Lydia 
Simpson,  John  P.  Esq. 


Stockton.  Richard,  Esq. 
Thompson,  William 
Thompson,  John 
Updike,  Peter 

KINGSTON. 

Baileys,  Robert 
Baileys,  Samuel 
Cortelyou,  Hendrick 
Comfort,  Rev.  David 
Cruzer,  Frederick 
Foort,  Thomas 
Garrison,  George 
Gulick,  Maj.  Johv. 
Flight,  Susanna 
Longstreet,  Aaron,  jun. 
Sunderland,  John 
Van  Derveer,  Cornelias 
Van  Dike,  John,  Esq. 
Van  Dike,  Ir.aac 

MAIDENHEAP. 

Hunt,  Reuben 
Phillips,  William 
Phillips,  Ralph 
Phillips,  John 
Phillips,  John,  Esq. 
Phillips,  Dr.  Joseph 
Van  Cleve,  Aaron 

HOPEWELL^ 

Carpenter,  John 
Lott,  Richard 

TRENTON. 

Burrows,  Nathaniel 
Dubois,  Nicholas 

CRANBURYv 

Chambers,  David 
Campbell,  Joseph 
Hunt,  Nathaniel,  Esq. 
Loit,  Dr.  Ralph  P. 
Snowden,  Isaac 
Woodhull,  Rev.  George  S. 

ALLKNTOWN. 

Cornell,  John 
Haw,  David 
Imlay,  Caroline 
Montgomery,  Robert 
Quay,  Lucy 

MONPIOUTH. 

Furman,  Joseph,  jun. 
Gordon,  Ezekiel 

UPPER-FREEHOLD, 

Harper,  Henry 
Hendrickson,  John 
Wyckoff,  Samuel,  sen. 
Wyckoff,  Garret 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES 


383 


ADDITIONAL  NAMES. 


PHILADELPHIA. 

Arm  at,  Thomas 
Box,  Paul 
Eyre,  Manuel,  jun. 
Flintham,  William 
Firth,  John 
Green,  Rev.  Ashbel 
Houster,  James 
Lattimer,  Thomas 
Lorain,  John,  jun. 
Milledoller,  Rev.  Philip 
M'  Mullen,  John 
Ralston,  Robert 
Steel,  John 
Stuart,  James 
Shults,  Charles,  jun. 
Smiley,  William 
Smith,  Jonathan 
Slille,  John 
Stille,  Mary 
Smith,  Ann 
Stone,  Rev.  William 


Taylor,  W'iHiam,  jun. 
Wein,  Silas  E. 
W^ilmen,  Rev.  Simon 

BUCKS-COUNTY. 

Cornell,  Maria 
Parker,  John 

LONG-HILL, N.  J. 

Cooper,  John  G. 

PROVIJDENCF,  R.  I 

Bowen,  Jabez 
Benson,  George 
Brown,  Nicholas 
Ilolman,  David,  jun. 
llobart,  Benjamin 
Jones,  William,  Esq. 
Jones,  Thomas 
Messier,  Rev.  Mr. 
Miller,  Moses 
Park.  Calvin 
Plaud,  Thomas 
Snell,  Ebenezer 


^>*  Much  pains  has  been  bestozccd  to  render  the  list 
of  subscribers  as  correct  and  complete  as  possible;  but  as 
several  subscription-papers  are  still  abroad,  it  is  presum- 
ed a  number  of  names  are  omitted The  prevailing 

epidemic  in  Neic-York,  zcliich  obliged  the  publishers  to 
leave  the  city,  ivill  plead  excuse  for  the  delaij  in  deliver- 
ing the  second  volume. 


THE    END. 


r 


a^ 


